CARIBOU, Maine — The defending Class D state champion Central Aroostook Panthers proved they are also the best in Aroostook County.
At Friday’s Aroostook League championships held at Caribou High School, the Panthers scored 56.1 points to earn first place. Houlton was the runner-up with 48.8 by edging out Presque Isle, which posted 48.4.
Host Caribou was fourth with 47.3 and Fort Fairfield placed fifth with 37.9 points.
Central Aroostook also received the Spirit Award, which is voted on by participating teams.
Twelve individuals were named to the All-Aroostook Team: Jack Shafer, Keara McCrum, Lillian Mahan and Olivia Pelletier, all of Central Aroostook; Julian McKenney and Emily Everitt of Fort Fairfield; Josie Ford and Delaney Despres of Houlton; and Clara Kohlbacher, Taylor Hedrich, Kiara Lyford and Claire Mautz, all of Presque Isle.
All-stars were selected in jumps, tumbling and stunts. Individuals recognized were Shafer and Kohlbacher for both jumps and tumbling, and Lyford, Hedrich, Emma Kohlbacher, Hanna Boucher and Erica Rosten for stunts.
PVCs held Saturday
At the Penobscot Valley Conference championships held at Mattanawcook Academy in Lincoln Saturday, Presque Isle placed fourth and Caribou seventh out of eight Class B teams and Houlton took fifth out of 12 Class C and D squads.
Hermon was the champion in Class B and Central of East Corinth was the winner for the C-D division.
Presque Isle posted 50.5 points, trailing only Hermon, Ellsworth and Old Town. Caribou registered a score of 43.
Complete Class B results were: Hermon, 78.9; Ellsworth, 66.8; Old Town, 56.1; Presque Isle, 50.5; Mount Desert Island, 48.7; John Bapst, 48.6; Caribou, 43; and Foxcroft Academy, 40.6.
For classes C and D, the Shiretowners score of 55.9 points placed them only behind Central, Penobscot Valley of Howland, Sumner and the host Lynx and ahead of seven other teams.
“The girls gave a solid performance at the PVC competition,” Houlton co-coach Renae Foley said. “It was the best we’ve seen this season.”
“We’ve been looking at our scoresheets and will continue to add to our routine and clean it up to be ready for Northern Maine Regionals on Saturday (in Bangor),” co-coach Julie Dunn added.
Complete Class C-D results were: Central, 60.3; Howland, 58.6; Sumner, 57.6; Mattanawcook Academy, 56.3; Houlton, 55.9; Bucksport, 46.9; Machias, 43.8; Bangor Christian, 42.8; Orono, 40.6; Penquis, 38.1; Lee Academy, 32.6; and Dexter, 24.9.