AUGUSTA — Traditional powers and a first-time champion ascended to the top of the state’s high school cheerleading pyramid Saturday at the Augusta Civic Center.
After finishing a disappointing fourth a season ago, Lewiston reclaimed its spot atop Class A with its fourth championship in five years. Central Aroostook repeated in Class D and, in the process, took the title for the seventh time in eight years, holding off Bangor Christian 117.2-102.2.
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In the morning session, Hermon posted an impressive score of 149.5 to hold off Medomak Valley (145.8) and win its fifth straight Class B title. Lisbon, meanwhile, basked in the championship glow for the first time in school history to take Class C.
The Blue Devils were the final team to take the mat but it was certainly a case where the best was saved for last. Lewiston posted the best score of the day, a 160.2 that also included a one-point deduction. Defending champ Biddeford (152.2) was second and Noble (150.9) third.
“They did what they needed to do to bring the title back to Lewiston and that’s all we can ask for,” Lewiston coach Lynette Morency said. “They’ve worked really hard, they’ve had a really good week (and) they just really wanted to bring it back.
“Last year’s fourth-place finish was really hard to swallow and they came back with a vengeance this year.”
“Our goal this year was to not let that pressure get to us,” added senior captain Tia Cortes. “We had something to prove but we didn’t have to worry about it. What we wanted to do was hit our stunts and get our stuff done and we did that.
“We’ve put countless hours into those stunts and it really paid off today.”
Both Cortes and fellow captain Andrea Bonin felt that their stunts could set the Blue Devils apart from the competition if they stuck them. Once they did, they had a good idea that the title would be returning to Lewiston.
“I had a pretty good idea,” Bonin said. “We had seen the previous scores from previous competitions and we knew that our scores versus other teams that if we hit it could easily be above everyone else.”
Like Lewiston, Hermon is no stranger either to state cheerleading titles, but that did not mean that there was not plenty of pressure on the Hawks — particularly after a strong performance from Medomak Valley just two routines earlier.
“You absolutely always feel the pressure, but it’s also a new year and a new group of kids,” Hermon coach Kristie Reed said. “You build the same way.
“…I think with the technical points we could outscore in a couple areas as long as we hit it. We really, honestly had to come out with a lot of energy and hit our routine. There was no room for mistakes.”
As for the Greyhounds (119.3), they emerged from the tightest competition of the day, edging out Dirigo (118.1), Madison (117.8), Orono (117.5), Bucksport (115.4) and Monmouth (113.7) for the title.
“I’m shocked. I’m surprised right now,” Lisbon coach Nicole Adams said. “When Dirigo took second I had no idea who took first.
“…They were runners up last year so they had a taste of it and I know my seniors wanted it bad this year.”
A week ago at the Western C championships, Lisbon finished fourth behind Dirigo, Madison and Monmouth, yet Saturday’s performance was evidence that anything can happen on a given day.
“It was determination. They had a lot of focus,” Adams said. “We had a lack of practice — like most teams did because of all the snow — but we pulled it together. We had nothing to lose today.
“They pushed for this and they sold it today. They had the spirit, they had the energy.”
Madison may have finished just 1.5 points back of the Greyhounds, yet coach Amber Noyes said her team was hardly disappointed in the result.
“It feels good. All the teams had strong performances today, all the scores were really close,” Noyes said. “We knew that when it came down for awards that it was going to be a close one.
“…They felt really good. Even looking at what we did at regionals the energy level was much stronger (Saturday). They felt really confident so they’re really proud of what they did. They’re not disappointed at all.”
The Mustangs also left pleased with their performance after what second-year coach Kristin Dubois called “a building year” for her team. Monmouth only graduates one senior, Emily Lombardo, from this season’s team and Dubois expects her team to be even stronger next winter.
“They have nothing to be ashamed of and everything to be proud of,” Dubois said. “They went out there and did their best.
“…They’re amazing and next year we’re going to come out with a bang.”
Gardiner returned to states this season after a one-year hiatus and took fifth place in Class B with 124.9 points behind both Ellsworth (141.2) and Leavitt (128.2). Last season the Tigers finished in seventh at the Eastern B championships, falling one spot short of qualifying for states.
“I’m happy with it — very happy,” Gardiner coach Jeanne Moody said. “We had a couple of timing issues and had a one-point deduction, but these kids are happy with fifth.
“…The last time we were at states we were eighth, so we moved up.”
Lawrence posted a similar score to the Tigers with a 124.2 but it was only good enough for 10th in the very competitive Class A. Nonetheless, it was a solid showing for the Bulldogs, who have the smallest team in the state’s top class with just 10 competitors.
“Our overall goal was to come out here and try to do better than we did the last time and hit as clean of a routine as we could,” Lawrence coach Alicia Curtis said. “They did that and I’m proud of them, and they’re proud of themselves. That’s what matters.”
Evan Crawley — 621-5640
ecrawley@mainetoday.com
Twitter: @Evan_Crawley
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