Cheerleading
Under Claire Zagami Kapoor’s direction, Our Lady of Good Counsel has one of the Washington, D.C., area’s finest high school cheerleading programs. In addition to supporting Falcon athletic teams, her cheerleaders have competed with distinction.
In the two years (2018-19) the Independent Schools of Maryland Cheerleading Competition has been held, the Falcons have won it both times. Each year, two of Kapoor’s captains earned Rising Star awards.
Roster
| Name | Class |
|---|---|
| Nicholette Bonavia | 2024 |
| Sarah Briggs | 2022 |
| Sydney Carter | 2023 |
| Sierra Chapman-Hornsby | 2022 |
| Annabella Crowell | 2024 |
| Jayla DeLoatch | 2023 |
| Vasilia Frankowski | 2024 |
| Gabriella Gilpin | 2024 |
| Jordan Hardie | 2025 |
| Avery Holman | 2024 |
| Ashlyn Holtzapple | 2024 |
| Lindsey Lancaster | 2024 |
| Abigail Lau | 2024 |
| Maya Mathewson | 2024 |
| Reese Nealey | 2023 |
| Aria Simmonds | 2023 |
| Mikaela Swinton | 2022 |
| Stephanie Vannoy | 2023 |
| Cordelia Woolery | 2024 |
2022-2023 VARSITY CHEERLEADING CLINICS AND TRYOUTS
All Days are Required
Clinic Days
- Monday, May 16 | 4:30-6:30 | Kane Center
- Wednesday, May 18 | 4:30-6:30 | Kane Center
Evaluation Day
- Thursday, May 19 | 4:30-8:00 | Kane Center
*Candidates may leave after their evaluation is complete.
IMPORTANT DATES: Mandatory Cheer Camp for the 2022-2023 Team | Cheer Extreme DMV in Rockville, MD
- August 8, 2022 | 10:00-3:00
- August 9, 2022 | 10:00-3:00
- August 10, 2022 | 10:00-3:00
Good Counsel Mandatory Fall Sports Practices Begin August 15, 2022!
Claire Zagami Kapoor Bio Continued..
Several of Kapoor’s cheerleaders have gone on to perform in college, including major NCAA Division I programs Maryland and N.C. State.
Kapoor, who came to Good Counsel in 2013, believes that being a coach is not just a role you fill but is who you are.
“It takes an inner strength to lead a group to achieve a common goal, to drive excellence and to train for the unexpected,” she said. “It is caring about the team while seeing the individuals as well. It is the skill of highlighting lessons in your sport, which will benefit your athletes as they move through life.”
Competing under the name Claire Zagami, Kapoor was six times recognized as a National Cheerleaders Association All-American. Her first three came during her final three seasons at Sherwood High School in Sandy Spring, Md. She was captain her senior year. She also played varsity lacrosse as a freshman. She graduated as an Honor Roll student in 2008.
Kapoor was also a three-time All-American (2008-11) at Salisbury (Md.) University. She served as captain her final season. Her name appeared on the Dean’s List, and she was a Presidential Citizen Scholar for maintaining at least a 3.5 GPA.
Kapoor graduated from Salisbury in 2012 with a bachelor of science in physical education. She earned an M.Ed. in educational leadership and administration from American College of Education in 2017. She graduated summa cum laude.
While teaching at Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville, Md., Kapoor served as varsity dance coach from 2013-20.
Kapoor was born in Rockville and grew up there and in Brookeville, Md. She teaches health and physical education for Montgomery County (Md.) Public Schools. She and her husband, Hitesh, live in Silver Spring, Md.