Houlton repeats as Aroostook Cheering champs

by Contributed
10 months ago
Soaring through the air upside down is Houlton’s Olivia Drake during Friday’s Aroostook League Cheering Championships in Caribou. Houlton won for the second straight year. (Photo courtesy of Joseph Cyr)

By Joseph Cyr, Special to The County

CARIBOU, Maine – Showcasing a strong dance and stunt routine, Houlton captured the 2024 Aroostook League Cheering championship Friday evening, besting a field of five squads.

Held at Caribou High School, in front of a large audience, squads from Presque Isle, Central Aroostook, Fort Fairfield, Caribou and Houlton competed for the coveted title. It marks the second straight year that the Shires have won the County crown.

Presque Isle was named runner-up in the competition. Team scores were not provided to the media this year.

“I am incredibly proud of the performance these girls gave,” Houlton coach Maggie Small said. “We have a fast paced, high energy routine this season, so our goal was to be clean and have fun. We are excited for this win, but eager to implement some changes for an even stronger season ahead.”

Houlton performs on the mat Friday evening at the Aroostook League Cheering Championships.
(Photo courtesy of Joseph Cyr)

Friday’s event marked the start of the high school cheering competition circuit. Presque Isle will host the Big East cheering competition Saturday, Jan. 20. 

The Regional cheering competition takes place Saturday, Feb. 3, at Cony High School in Augusta for all three cheering classes. It marks the first time that there is no Class D competition as the C and D divisions were merged into one.

The state cheering competition is slated for Saturday, Feb. 10, at the Augusta Civic Center.

Team awards were as follows: Spirit Award, Caribou; Dance, Houlton; Tumbling, Presque Isle; Motions, Houlton; Jumps, Presque Isle; and Stunts, Houlton.

Individual All-Star awards went to Houlton’s Olivia Drake and Presque Isle’s Haleigh Archer for tumbling; Drake and Presque Isle’s Danica Beaulieu for jumps; and Houlton for stunts. 

The Houlton varsity cheering squad captured its second straight Aroostook League cheering Friday evening at Caribou High School. Team members are, front from left, Emily Butterworth, Abby Grant, Amelia Flewelling, Ariana Ardell, Aubrey Swallow, Emily Bushey and Makala Sennett; and back, assistant coach Molly Dunn, Olivia Drake, Jaycee Forest, Frankie Gilmour, Olivia Cyr, Ella McCarthy, Hayden Belyea and coach Maggie Small. Absent is Morgan Quirk.
(Photo courtesy of Joseph Cyr)

Members of the Houlton team are: Frankie Gilmour, Amelia Flewelling, Makala Sennett, Aubrey Swallow, Jaycee Forest, Hayden Belyea, Olivia Drake, Emily Bushey, Olivia Cyr, Ariana Ardell, Ella McCarthy, Morgan Quirk, Emily Butterworth and Abby Grant. The assistant coach is Molly Dunn.

Jumping in unison are members of the Presque Isle cheering squad at Friday night’s Aroostook League Cheering Championships.
(Photo courtesy of Joseph Cyr)

Members of the Presque Isle team, which is coached by Jolene Kinney, are: Danica Beaulieu, Lita Perkins, Jayden Harvell, Haleigh Archer, Johanna Cote, Courtney Dockham, Abigail Reed, Olivia Sherman, Melodi Craig, Nyah Langley, Kelsie Dunleavy, Hunee Edwards-Robidou, Bailey Brewer and Neve O’Donnell.

Dancing on the mat are members of the Presque Isle cheering squad at Friday night’s Aroostook League Cheering Championships.
(Photo courtesy of Joseph Cyr)
The Caribou cheering squad performs a stunt at Friday night’s Aroostook League Cheering Championships.
(Photo courtesy of Joseph Cyr)

Members of the Caribou squad, which is coached by Krista Cyr, are: Madelyn Cote, Isabella Cherrier, Taylor Saunders, Callie Boucher, Vivial Bell, Sadielee Violette, Kaydence Hafford and Aiden Kelley.

Dancing on the mat are members of the Caribou cheering squad at Friday night’s Aroostook League Cheering Championships.
(Photo courtesy of Joseph Cyr)
The Central Aroostook cheering squad performs a team jump Friday evening at the Aroostook League Cheering Championships.
(Photo courtesy of Joseph Cyr)

Members of the Central Aroostook squad, which is coached by Erin Jandreau, are: Rebecca Bell, Abby Howlett, Victoria McCrum, Bri McDonald, Aubrie Pierce, Julia Pierce and Hannah Shaw.

Striking a pose are members of the Central Aroostook cheering squad at Friday night’s Aroostook League Cheering Championships.
(Photo courtesy of Joseph Cyr)
Performing on the mat are members of the Fort Fairfield cheering squad at Friday night’s Aroostook League Cheering Championships.
(Photo courtesy of Joseph Cyr)

Members of the Fort Fairfield squad, which is coached by Brandy Osterblom, are: Addison Gove, Addison Fox, Allie Rivard-Burnham, Keely Bailey-Parsley, Sophia LeBlanc, Isabelle Jones, Mya Caron and Addyson Haley.

The Fort Fairfield cheering squad performs a stunt at Friday night’s Aroostook League Cheering Championships.
(Photo courtesy of Joseph Cyr)