Panthers continue ‘D’ domination
State championship cheering title is team’s fourth consecutive
By Kevin Sjoberg
Sports Reporter
BANGOR — Altough it didn’t come as easily as the regional championship did two weeks earlier, against a similar group of competitors, the Central Aroostook Panthers cheerleaders were able to continue their state championship dynasty Saturday.
Bangor Daily News photo by John Clarke Russ
SWEET VICTORY –– Members of the Central Aroostook High School cheering squad and their coaches share the joy after they took first place in the Maine High School Class D Cheerleading Championship held at the Bangor Auditorium Saturday afternoon.
Central Aroostook won its fourth consecutive Class D title and in the process, became the winningest Class D program with its nine overall state crowns.
Despite having two weeks to prepare after having little trouble outdistancing the field at the Jan. 29 regional, the Panthers struggled a bit on Saturday which led to some nervous moments heading into the announcement of the event champions.
“It wasn’t our best performance and coming off the mat, we were all disappointed in ourselves,” said junior Kellie Stitham, one of the team’s five captains. “We saw that our coaches had the scores in their hands and their faces went white, so we knew something was wrong.”
However, teams are announced in descending order and when it came to second place and Central Aroostook’s name didn’t come out, Stitham said an overcoming feeling hit every team member and the coaching staff.
“It was the best feeling ever to know we still did it and we still had it,” she said.
The Panthers scored 111.1 points Saturday, after having netted 127.5 points at the regional. CA was less than seven points ahead of runner-up Deer Isle-Stonington (104.7), while Jonesport-Beals (98.7), Buckfield (93.8), Machias (91.6) and Rangeley (77.1) followed.
AIRBORNE — Two members of the Central Aroostook cheering squad are spun into the air by their teammates during their routine Saturday at the state championship. The Panthers came in first place for their fourth consecutive Class D state championship.
Stitham said a lot of hard work and commitment went into the state championship season. Since November, she said the squad practiced two hours a day during the week and had three-hour sessions on Saturdays.
“It’s good because the coach works around our work schedules and the business people work around the cheering practice schedule,” Stitham said. “It’s a lot of work … some days we have our bad days and some days we nail everything.”
Leading into the regionals, Stitham said some of the practices did not go as planned. But during that Jan. 29 competition, “a rush of adrenaline went through us.”
“Our jumps were amazing – they were high and perfect. Our tumbling was better and our stunts and everything else were nailed,” she added.
Stitham likes the fact that everybody on the 11-person team adds a special quality to the mix.
“It amazes our coaches and those who have been on the squad for more than two years that they can come here, maybe not cheer their whole life, and still bring something unique,” Stitham said. “It definitely makes the whole squad come together and be stronger.”
She said the Panthers always seem to thrill the crowd with an exciting routine.
“Our fans always tell us that we always keep it coming throughout, and that we have smiles and spirit and never let a dull moment into the routine … that there is always something wonderful,” she said.
The Central Aroostook High School squad, coached by Sami Allen and assistant coach Janice Mosher, is an 11-person team. Leading the Panthers to the state title were seniors Kyle Donahue and Gabe Brewer, along with Stitham, Lexie Brewer, Whitney Klein, Brittany Drost, Alexis Bradbury, Patricia Donovan, Colby Endy, Laken Kingsbury and Meghan King.
In Class B, Presque Isle had reached the state competition and managed to place fifth out of 12 teams. Hermon won with 147 points, followed by Ellsworth with 142.3. Medomak Valley of Waldoboro claimed the third spot with 138.6 and Leavitt of Turner was fourth with 134.7.
The Wildcats, who placed third in the regionals, accumulated a score of 132.3 points Saturday and finished ahead of Wells, John Bapst, Lisbon, Waterville, Mountain Valley of Rumford, Poland and Nokomis of Newport.
Wildcat team members are senior Julea Gorneault; juniors Kelsey Buck, Kelsey Corriveau, Paige Doyen, Brittany Good, Courtney Lyford, Michaela Powers and Bonnie Zeng; sophomores, Megan Byers, Justena Cleveland, Rachel Dow, Mary Green, Kenedy Jarvis, and Gabby McCrum; and freshmen Elena Ford and Kelsie Spooner. Jolene Kinney is the coach.
