MILLINOCKET, Maine — Aroostook County was well represented at the three regional cheering competitions Saturday at Stearns High School.
Unlike previous years, every squad automatically earned a spot in next weekend’s state competitions if they decided to participate. The state competitions will be held at the Augusta Civic Center, tentatively starting at 10 a.m. for Classes C and B, followed by the D and A event at 2 p.m. (Schedule subject to change)
In Saturday’s regional competitions, Houlton placed sixth in the Class C event, while Caribou was eighth. Team scores were: 1, Central, 70.05; 2, Mattanawcook/PVHS, 68; 3, Dexter, 66; 4, Bucksport, 61.3; 5, Sumner, 56.7; 6, Houlton/GHCA, 53; 7, Orono, 44.3; 8, Caribou, 33.9; 9, Foxcroft Academy, 33.8; and 10, Mt. View, 15.9.
“I’m very proud of the routine the girls performed on Saturday,” Houlton coach Maggie Small said. “They went out there and gave it their all. As a coach, that’s all I can ask.”
Practicing has proven difficult for most cheering squads this season, as on any given night several members of the squad could be unavailable.
“In competitive cheering, it’s difficult to practice your routine when you’re missing even one athlete so as you can imagine this year has brought many challenges for squads all over the state,” Small said. “We’ll be starting this week with our full team for the first time since early January, so we are really excited to get to work and make changes based on our score sheets from Regionals. We haven’t been able to perform our routine to its full potential yet this year so that will be our biggest goal for states.”
Members of the Houlton squad are Alex Collins, Amanda Thorne, Arian Ardell, Ellie Grant, Ella McCarthy, Emma McCarthy, Hailey Quint, Hillary Peabody, Sophia Lorom, Kenzie Hodgkins, Lydia Byron, Madalyn Quirk, Olivia Cyr, Olivia Drake, Riley Sylvain and Olivia Hallett.
Members of the Caribou squad are Marienna St. Peter, Landyn Hyde, Claire Ouellette, Taylor Gilliam, Isabella Cherrier, Haley Dumond, Aidan Kelley, Mea Ouellette, Madelyn Cote and Mercy McCarthy. The squad is coached by Erin Gilson.
In the Class D competition, Central Aroostook placed second. Team scores were: 1, Monmouth Academy, 69.9; 2, Central Aroostook, 58.5; 3, Bangor Christian, 47.8; 4, Penquis, 35.9; 5, Schenck, 28.9; and 6, Forest Hills, 10.8.
Members of the CAHS squad are Madison Howlett, Katie Carvell, Anna Kilcollins, Delaney McKeen, Riley Prince, Rebecca Bell, Julia Pierce, Abby Howlett and Hannah Shaw. The team is coached by Noelle Bailey and Michaela Pelletier.
In the Class B competition, Presque Isle placed fifth. Team scores were: 1, Hermon, 70.8; 2, Ellsworth, 58.4; 3, John Bapst, 48.85; 4, Nokomis, 46.3; 5, Presque Isle, 41.35; 6, Old Town, 38.9; 7, Lawrence, 36.65; and 8, Mount Desert Island, 33.9.
“Despite many obstacles we have faced this season, the girls have continued to push and improve each week,” Presque Isle coach Katelyn Michaud said. “We did not hit a clean routine at regionals despite our hopes for the weekend. We hope to clean up our routine and send all the girls who are able onto the floor to get some good exposure for the last time on a competitive floor this season.”
Members of the Presque Isle squad were Danica Beaulieu, Sierra Farley, Liberty Herweh, Lindsey Himes, Jaylee Howlett, Emma Jordan, Nyah Langley, Alexa Perkins and Lita Perkins.
MILLINOCKET, Maine — February 5, 2022 — Members of the Caribou cheering squad leap into the air during Saturday’s Class C North cheering championships. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
MILLINOCKET, Maine — February 5, 2022 — Members of the Caribou cheering squad compete at the Class C North cheering championships Saturday at Stearns High School. Caribou placed eighth. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
MILLINOCKET, Maine — February 5, 2022 — Members of the Caribou cheering squad compete at the Class C North championships Saturday at Stearns High School. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
MILLINOCKET, Maine — February 5, 2022 — Houlton’s Lydia Byron does a tumbling stunt during Saturday’s Class C North Cheering Championships. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
MILLINOCKET, Maine — February 5, 2022 — Houlton cheerleaders Emma McCarthy (top left) and Amanda Thorne (top right) prepare to hoist Ariana Ardell into the air during the Class C North Cheering Championships. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
MILLINOCKET, Maine — February 5, 2022 — Houlton’s Olivia Drake and the rest of the Houlton cheering squad perform at Saturday’s Class C North Cheering Championships. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
MILLINOCKET, Maine — February 5, 2022 — Houlton cheerleaders Ella McCarthy (left) and Sophia Lorom strike a pose during Saturday’s Class C North cheering championships. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
MILLINOCKET, Maine — February 5, 2022 — Houlton’s Ella McCarthy gets caught by her teammates following a stunt at the Class C North cheering championships. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
