JAMAICA, N.Y. (Mar. 8, 2018) - The College of Staten Island ended a six-year title drought Thursday night, winning the 2018 CUNYAC/Pepsi Cheerleading Championship at the York College Gymnasium in Jamaica.

The Dolphins, who won their first league championship since 2012, scored 76.2 points in the team competition. It was CSI's third conference title in program history, as well.

"It feels amazing. These kids put in so much work this season. I have a team of inexperienced girls and we built the program from the ground up," said CSI Head Coach Kristie Perrotta. "Seeing my team hit their routine today was an amazing feeling."

Perrotta then added: "The goal was to build the cheerleading program and have the team put out their best performance. I would have been happy with what they put out there today, win or lose. I am very proud of them."

In addition to the team competition, Staten Island earned gold in stunt and tumbling. Junior Alyssa Dunn narrowly won the tumbling title with 17.2 points, and teamed up with Malay'ja Heard, Alexandra Diodato, Dayana Dunac and Kayla Staiano to knock off their opposition in stunt.

"We had total confidence in them. We worked the routine, the tumbling and stunt to their abilities," Perrotta said. "We didn't want to push them too hard, but pushed them just enough knowing that they could come in here and make a great showing."

Additionally, Heard, in just her first year at CSI, received the championship's Most Valuable Performer award and became overcome with emotion in the process.

"This team battled through setbacks and injuries to make our routine as good as possible," Heard stated. "I am so happy for my team, and that we put it all out on the floor."

"I couldn't believe it," quoted Heard about being named the Most Valuable Performer. "It made me feel really good and recognized, especially as a freshman."

Defending league champion John Jay came in second with 63.7 points. Lehman finished third with 57.2 points, while Brooklyn took fourth with 43.15 points.

In the jumping competition, Lehman's Surelle Santos came out on top with 17.14 points. BMCC's Breanna Edmund was a close second with 16.82 points.

The conference also gave out its year-end cheerleading accolades during the evening. John Jay's Isis Samuels repeated as the CUNYAC Performer of the Year. Lehman's Michelle Ramirez and Juliette St. Fleur garnered Rookie and Coach of the Year distinction, respectively.

Lastly, the event showcased four exhibition teams from the local area. They were Flushing High School, Monsignor McClancy High School and the Iconic Cheer Elite.

2017-18 CUNYAC Cheerleading All-Stars
Performer of the Year: Isis Samuels, John Jay
Rookie of the Year: Michelle Ramirez, Lehman
Coach of the Year: Juliette St. Fleur, Lehman
Sportsmanship Award: Kayla Staiano, Staten Island
Sportsmanship Team: Rachel Colangelo, Brooklyn, Chante Fraser, Lehman, Danielle Jones, Medgar Evers, Idalina Marin, John Jay