Student-athletes devote endless hours to their sports for months on end, on top of their/ demanding academic schedule. Since sports teams are often on the road, home games are eagerly awaited. Every year, there is one weekend when all sports teams are at home. The Northwood Invitational Hockey Tournament is unique in that it draws a crowd of both participants and fans. The Northwood community has the ideal opportunity to show support for their teams, and they did just that.
The student cheering section at the 2024 Northwood Invitational Hockey Tournament Girls Championship game. Nico Cedeno ’24 is on the left, with the drum. Photo: Mr. Michael Aldridge.
Nicolas Cedeno ‘24, who brings positive energy into the community, brought the same energy to the games at the tournament, along with what appeared to be the whole school. “It is important to support the other teams on campus,” Cedeno said. “I know what it’s like to be in a game and feel the energy from the fans, and I want to give that same energy to the hockey players,” he added.
The fans not only showed up to watch, but they brought instruments. Nico was on the drums, which caught much attention, including from parents with opposing teams. “When we were at the girls’ game, a lady from the other team was upset because we were loud and we were doing chants against her daughter’s team, but that is what it’s all about, and we love that.”
The girls’ championship game was the highlight of the tournament. “When the girls had their championship game, we were so hyped that we brought many more instruments instead of just the drums. It looked like the whole school was there, so it was exciting when we were all dancing and cheering. When they won, we all went to the ice and took pictures, and it was special because we were all family at the end of the day,” Cedeno said.
Nico summed up his goal for that game’s cheering section: “If you were not with us, you would want to be with us.”
The back-to-back Northwood Invitational Champions Girls’ Hockey Team. Photo: Mr. Michael Aldridge.
Players and spectators together created a ton of new memories. Assistant captain Katie Demers ‘24 has competed in three Northwood Tournaments. She made it to the finals every time and helped her team to win the last two. She has created many memories in those years but says none compared to their championship game. “I have been here for three years and have never seen a crowd that size. We took our victory lap and carried the trophy to the corner where everyone was; it looked like the entire school was there,” Demers said.
The student section moved throughout the rink, and many people remember them being behind the players’ bench. “It felt like a mosh pit behind our bench; I couldn’t hear myself talking, and the glass was trembling,” Gracie Hurlbut ’25 said.
A cheer you should know to become a Husky Fanatic:
Nico’s favorite cheer is “Northwood’s on fire.” We usually do it after someone scores. For example, when Brac scores, we would chant:
“Brac is on fire!
Your defense is terrified!”
