AUGUSTA — The budding rivalry between the Bangor and Lewiston cheering teams continues.
Bangor — the defending Class A champions — won the Class A North title during the regional championship competition Saturday morning at the Augusta Civic Center. Lewiston — winners of six of the last eight Class A titles — finished as the runner-up.
“I just told (the team) to have fun with it, they know what they have to do to win,” Bangor coach Taylor Clark said. “We worked really, really hard this week, changed a couple things to make it hittable. I just told them to have fun and bring energy.”
The competition between the schools was as tight as one could expect. The Rams finished with a score of 85.6. The Blue Devils had a score of 84.
The battles with Lewiston are fun for Clark, who has known Blue Devils coach Lysa Laverdiere since before her coaching days.
“It’s kind of fun to have that friendly rivalry, because I work with her all summer and compete with her all year,” Clark said. “It’s kind of cool to do that.”
Brewer (82.4) finished in third, with Oxford Hills (74.4), Hampden (71.3) and Lawrence (67.7) rounding out Class A North. The top six teams per region move onto the state championships Feb. 9 in Augusta.
There will be stiff competition from Class A South. Repeat contender Biddeford took the title by more than six points, finishing with 82.6
“It’s just amazing,” Biddeford coach Deb Lobel said. “We didn’t have a perfect routine. We’ve been getting better every week. It’s great they did better this week. We had a five-point deduction (at the Southwestern Maine Activities Association competition) last week that took us out of first. I think they realized they’ve got to hit (their routine) better.”
With an impressive routine, Marshwood (76.2) finished as the runner-up. They were followed by Thornton (74.8), Noble (69.3), Gorham (66.7) and Sanford (66.7) rounded out the top six.
A rivalry is also brewing in Class C, where Lisbon captured the Class C South title Saturday.
“They did a fantastic job,” Lisbon coach Nicole Adams said. “We’re a younger team this year, so obviously going in (to the competition) was a little more nervous. But they did an incredible job.”
Class C champions in 2017, the Greyhounds will look to recapture the championship from Central, which took home the Class C North title Saturday morning at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.
“(We) just need to keep improving, keep raising the bar (before states),” Adams said.
Sacopee Valley (62.8 points) finished as the C South runner-up, with Madison/Carrabec, Monmouth, Wiscasset and Dirigo in the top six.
Sumner finished as the C North runner-up, followed by Houlton, Mattanawcook, Calais and Bucksport. The evening wrapped up with the Class B South competition. Medomak Valley ran away with the title, notching 84 points. Leavitt (71.4) finished as runner-up. Morse, Gray-New Gloucester, Spruce Mountain and Freeport also qualified for states.
In Bangor, defending Class D champion Central Aroostook claimed the Class D North/South crown, with Penobscot Valley, Bangor Christian, Machias, Deer Isle-Stonington and Woodland rounding out the group. In Class B North, Ellsworth upended defending champion Hermon, which finished as the runner-up. Old Town, Presque Isle, Mount Desert Island and John Bapst also qualified for states.
Dave Dyer — 621-5640
ddyer@centralmaine.com
Twitter: @Dave_Dyer
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