By Dominic Konareski
Voice Writer
For years, the West Haven Seahawks have been a dominant force and frequent visitor to the Nationals for both cheerleading and football, setting the precedent for future teams. West Haven as a whole has a great sporting background, but to be great takes years of training and starting early.
For the members of the Seahawks cheer team, they can already call themselves champions before reaching 10-years-old.
The West Haven Seahawks sent a total of 6 teams to Nationals in Charlotte, North Carolina, five cheer teams and a football squad representing the shoreline town and ‘Westie’ pride. The tournament began in the first week of December 2025.
Seahawks cheer would have two teams crowned in what is known as “The Queen City.” Seahawks Tiny Mite and Mitey Mite were crowned champions in their respective divisions.
Tiny Mite, which ranges from ages 5-through-6, scored highest out of all competing Tiny Mite divisions. The Mitey Mite team, which ranges from 7-through-8, were crowned champions in their respective tournaments.
Despite all the Seahawks coaching and staff being volunteer based, the team’s year in and year out continues to stay competitive due to staff members and coaches wanting to have a positive effect on children’s lives and be active in the community. Training, a determined mindset and most importantly great coaching are just a few parts in what makes the Seahawks a revered program.
One of the coaches, Megan Waterfield has been named as an Honored Attendant in the upcoming 2026 New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade (see page 12). The New Haven edition of the parade, which dates March 1842, is slated for March 15, with a step off time of 1:30 p.m.
Megan’s mother, Cebi Waterfield, who is Chairman of the Board of Education and active in the Seahawks community, told the Voice that, “I’m really proud of Megan and how she serves her community and this is just another way she honors West Haven and her Irish heritage,” Waterfield also said that her daughter is “a 100% true blue Westie.”
Megan Waterfield has been with the Seahawks since she was seven years old and cheered all the way through the program before becoming a student-coach herself at 15-years-old. Overall, Coach Waterfield has 20 years of experience with the West Haven Seahawks as both a cheer member and coach.
Having Megan be an Honored Attendant for the Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade comes with what is a prestigious year-long ambassador role representing the local Irish-American community.