The Houlton High School cheerleaders qualified for the state competition, with a fifth-place finish, last Saturday at the regionals. The state meet will be held Saturday, Feb. 7 in Augusta.
“We appreciate the toughness and tenacity it takes to have a qualifying team,” said coaches Michelle Sullivan and Renae Foley. “The girls worked on spacing, timing and motions the week between Penobscot Valley Conference and Easterns, and we were happy to see the scores reflect their hard work and preparation.”
Houlton was fifth with 101.3 points behind No. 1, Dexter, 114; second, Bucksport, 113.6; third, Central of East Corinth, 106.3; and fourth, Orono, 102.9.
“The scores were also very high for our dance,” said the coaches. “We will be working on our stunts to improve our score next week.”
The girls practice an hour and a half, six days a week from November to February. During winter break, they have three-hour practices.
“These girls have put in a tremendous amount of time, and we are very proud of their dedication to the sport,” the coaches added. “Everything in our routine has been performed perfectly in practice. We just need to make it all come together in front of the judges.”
Hopefully, if all the girls are well, the Houlton cheerleaders will be performing their routine at the last two home games Thursday and Saturday. The team will also celebrate the six seniors at Saturday’s game.
Cheering for Houlton are seniors: Wotton, Jaclyn Condon, Hayley Flewelling, Jennah Rand, Caleigh Sullivan and Autumn London; juniors, Katie Knights, Taylor Barnes, Abby Fore and Kayla McCarthy; sophomores, McLaughlin, Hannah Foley; Hannah Jacobs, Chloe Davis, Tessa Roshto, Lexi Fore, Toni MacDonald, Medinah Diane, Sarah Delano and Rachel Toupin; and freshmen, Anessa Wilde and Cassie Butler.
