It appears that the Scarborough and Biddeford High cheerleading squads are ready to battle for the Western Maine Class A title once again.
The two top-notch programs competed in Friday’s Southwestern Maine Activities Association league championship along with 13 other teams and this year it was the Tigers who won the league crown. The Red Storm finished a close second and Marshwood took third.
Most of the teams at last week’s SMAA event will face each other again this Saturday when the Western Maine Class A regional competition is held at the Augusta Civic Center beginning at 9 a.m.
Last year, it was Scarborough winning the league title with Biddeford in the runner-up slot, and one week later it was Biddeford winning the West A regional with the Red Storm right on their tails again. Eventually, both teams were on the outside looking in at the state championship where Lewiston won the A title with Scarborough second and Biddeford third.
Friday’s SMAA event was another loud and raucous affair with 15 teams all performing one non-stop routine filled with endless stunts, impressive tumbling, creative choreography and even some old-fashioned cheers.
All the teams were looking to impress a panel of judges in order to get a top-eight score and move on to the call-back round of routines – where the title is either won or lost. The points from round one do not carry over and the slate is wiped clean as the teams try for one more show-stopping error-free performance.
There were a number of strong showings on Friday with the teams making the call-back portion of the competition all exhibiting solid stunts and eye-catching choreography. The top eight teams after that first round were (in no particular order) Marshwood, Scarborough, Thornton Academy, Bonny Eagle, Gorham, Biddeford, South Portland and Westbrook.
Bonny Eagle also had a strong routine with their usual blend of creative choreography and impressive stunt combinations.
Bonny Eagle’s roster includes: Seniors – Samantha Bailey, Chelsey Brown, Samantha Burton, Brittany Cyr, Elise Furlong, Desarae Giasson, Katie Hall, Amber Wallace, and Devan Young; Juniors – Angela Cartwright, Dana Colello, Amanda Conners, Joelle Crockett, Jessica DelVecchio, Anastasia Skibicki, and Ellen Wormwood; Sophomores – Nicole Arnold and Ashley DeStefano; Freshman – Andrea Mondor. The Scots are coached by Selena Brown.
Windham’s routine didn’t qualify for the final round, but the Eagles gave a fine performance nonetheless. They’ll practice and polsih that routine all week and try again on Saturday.
Windham’s roster includes: Seniors – Whitney Adams and Caitlyn Thiboutot; Juniors – Candy Arno, Janessa Brewer, Carla Dias, Kathleen Holbrook, Sara Juergens, Alicia Michaud, Jessica Stevens, Yukari Ueda, and Alissa Woodbury; Sophomores – Erin Durkan, Tessa Jeffers, Kaleigh Marston, Amanda Meyer, Brandi Mitchell, Laura Sanborn and Michelle Ward; Freshman – Emily Dodge. The Eagles are coached by Cherie Scanlon.
The Lake Region cheerleading team finished third at the Western Maine Conference championship on Saturday, Jan. 13. The Lakers will compete in this Saturday’s Western Maine Class B regional at the Augusta Civic Center. That competition is scheduled to begin at noon.
The Lake Region roster includes: Seniors – Rachel Goodine, Kayla Kirk, Krystal Lane, and Samantha Scarf; juniors – Alyssa Aaskov, Nora Antonio, Natani Butler, Kaitlynn Daigle, Larisa Larribee, Erin Rowbothem, and Casey Shea; sophomore Amanda Dennison and freshman Teresa Dalpe. The team is coached by Pamela Collins and the assistant coach is Rebekah Koroski.
The top six teams at this weekend’s Class A and Class B regionals will qualify for the state championship meet on Saturday, Feb. 10, at the Bangor Auditorium.
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