By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
BANGOR — Pretty soon, they are going to run out of room in the Central Aroostook High School trophy case.
The Panther cheering squad secured their fifth consecutive regional crown (and ninth overall) Saturday at the Bangor Auditorium. With the win, CAHS set a new school record for consecutive regional cheering titles, but the Panthers will be even happier to bring home the state title Feb. 11 at the Augusta Civic Center.
Aroostook Republican photo/Joe Cyr
Sabrina Haney of Caribou is front and center of the Vikings routine at the Eastern Maine Class B Cheerleading Championships held in Bangor last Saturday. Danielle Chase is shown in the back left and Jamie St. Peter is to Haney’s right.
CAHS has also won the state crown the past four years. And considering the state competition features the exact same squads from the regional event, chances are pretty good that the Panthers will once again be crowned champions.
“The team really nailed this routine,” Panther coach Sami Allen said. “It has difficult stunts such as the ‘tick tock’ and ‘twist’ dismounts. It also has a lot of tumbling. We have three round off back handsprings and the whole team forward rolls. Colby (Endy) adds a standing back tuck and a layout at the end of the routine.”
Because there are so few squads that compete in cheering for Class D, both the East and West squads are combined for the regional championship. Therefore, the top six squads from the regional event will meet again in the state meet.
Team scores were: 1, Central Aroostook, 125.5; 2, Woodland, 111.2; 3, Deer Isle-Stonington, 109.6; 4, Buckfield, 105.6; 5, Penobscot, 105.5; 6, Bangor Christian, 98.3; 7, Washburn, 97; 8, Machias, 96.4; 9, Jonesport-Beals, 94.6; 10, Rangeley, 84.9; 11, Ashland, 80.8; and 12, Fort Fairfield, 79.4
Should the Panthers be successful in the state competition, it would mark the first time in the past 25 years that a cheering team has won five consecutive state titles.
During Saturday’s performance, Panther Colby Endy was one of the focal points of CA’s routine with his high-energy, acrobatic back flips and high leaping splits. Teammate Whitney Klein, who has been a member of three state champion squads, was once again the high-flying Panther as she was hoisted into the air on several occasions to perform stunts.
“The team has really bonded this year,” Allen said. “For the past week, we were able to take our routine to a new level. Janice and I have told the kids that if you believe in yourself you can achieve it. The important things to remember is to give facial (expressions), have confidence, and no matters what happens we love each and everyone of you.”
“We are very excited and proud of our kids, they are our second family,” added assistant coach Janice Mosher. “I’m still in shock that we have won five regional titles in a row, but credit it to hard work and dedication. The kids are great, they never complain and only offer to try new things.”
The Panthers had to change their routine two weeks ago, when Patricia Donovan, a senior, suffered torn ligaments and had to miss out on the last two competitions.
Members of the Fort Fairfield squad, which is coached by Nicole Butler, includes Lindsay Blaisdell, Ciara Campbell, Kasidie Chapman, Marisa Clark, Autumn Coombs, Ashley Johnston, Ashley Levesque, Courtney Morgan, Sarah Owens, Ashley Parady, Brooke Parady, Kalena Pearce and Rebecca Theriault.
Members of the Washburn cheering squad, which is coached by Heather Bragg, includes, Marienna Bragg, Michaela Bragg, Tiffany Bragg, Shenae Burtt, Courtney Cannon, Mikayla Churchill, Tia Dee, Kaylee Doody, Mykala Espling, Marianne Helton, Brianna Hyde, Nikkie Richardson, Caitlyn Roix, and Alexa Woodman.
