February 12, 2012

State Cheering Finals: Arms are raised in the East

Eastern Maine schools come away with a sweep of the state championships.

By MARK JEANNERET Special to the Telegram

AUGUSTA - The second time around was definitely sweeter for Lynette Morency.

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Left to right, Erika Dvilinsky, Abegayle Brown and Savoy Boyd reach the top Saturday for Gorham in the Class A competition at the state cheerleading championships in Augusta.

Photos by Tim Greenway/Special to the Telegram

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The Scarborough High cheerleaders have that extra kick in their step as they prepare to compete.

Additional Photos Below

STATE CHEERING CHAMPS

CLASS A: Lewiston

CLASS B: Hermon

CLASS C: Central

CLASS D: Central Aroostook

The Lewiston High cheering coach was a ball of emotions Saturday after the Blue Devils captured their second straight Class A title at the state championships at the Augusta Civic Center.

Morency didn't arrive with the same level of confidence she had last year, when she knew the Blue Devils were at their peak. The same couldn't be said leading up to their opportunity for a repeat performance.

"Every competition (this year) there was something that just wasn't quite right," said Morency. "This week they were like, 'No, that's not happening today. Today is our day'.

"They were very positive and very driven. They just wanted it."

Lewiston scored 163.1 points to outdistance Biddeford (157.9) and Marshwood (155.8) for their sixth overall Class A championship.

"It was amazing," said Krista Thomas of Lewiston, clutching the championship plaque.

"We've had a little bit of a rough year. About half the team was all new and the rest were veterans. We had to meet in the middle to make it work, but we peaked just in time."

The competition was a sweep for the East for the second straight year.

Hermon made it back-to-back wins in Class B. The Hawks finished with a score of 147.4 and shaded Ellsworth by 0.9 points. Medomak Valley rounded out the top three with 141.9 points.

"I think it comes down to teamwork," said Hermon Coach Kristie Reed. "This group of seniors is a really, really strong group. I just think that they stuck together for four years and it's shown in their performance.

"We had a little bobble in the beginning, but we finished it."

Central earned the school's first state championship in Class C. The Red Devils posted a score of 135 to beat Lisbon (130.9). Orono finished third with 123.9 points.

"They have worked so hard all year and finished in second place in every competition we've done," said Central Coach Cristy Strout.

"All week all I heard was, 'Coach, I'm tired of being in second'.

"My goal for them today was to shine and they did. They absolutely did, and they couldn't have done anything better."

In Class D, it was same-ole, same-ole for Central Aroostook, which captured its fifth straight state title with a score of 130.7.

"Our dedication is huge," said Central Aroostook Coach Sami Allen. "Most teams only practice three or four times a week, but we're going six days for two or 21/2 hours every day. That makes a huge difference."

The Panthers' streak of success broke the Class D record for consecutive championships set by Monmouth Academy, which won four straight from 1998-2001. The win also marked Central Aroostook's seventh title in Class D, tying Monmouth Academy for the most ever.

Woodland (116.7) and Deer Isle-Stonington (113.9) rounded out the top three in Class D.

The top three teams in each division are eligible to participate in the New England championships March 17 at Lawrence, Mass.

 

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Additional Photos

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Allie Acquaviva of Thornton Academy strikes a pose during the introductions of the cheerleaders at the Augusta Civic Center.

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Kristen Chamberlain of Scarborough keeps her smile with a foot on her shoulder during her routine. Lewiston won the Class A title, highlighting a sweep by Eastern Maine teams.

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Bayleigh Pendleton of Thornton Academy sees the Augusta Civic Center from a different angle while keeping her focus and performing a flip at the state cheerleading championships.



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