Staff Writer
AUGUSTA – The Central Aroostook cheering squad proved that presence and drive win titles, not perfection as they tumbled and sprang to take the Class D state championship at Saturday’s cheering competition.
Photo courtesy of Tomi Henderson
STATE CHAMPION CAHS cheerleaders pose at a recent basketball game. The division champs competed on Saturday, Feb. 9, at Augusta and were named the State Class D Champs! Pictured are, front from left: Coaches Sami Allen and Danielle Doughty. Second row: Ashley Brewer, Shannon Michaud, Latisha Neece, Shelby Hallett, Michelle Tweedie and Miranda Levesque. Third row: Kassey LeClaire, Kaila Foster, Brittni Mosher, Sarah Michaud, Rachael Donahue and Ariel Nappi. In back: Kyle Donahue and Rachel Donovan. Congratulations!!
“The team executed very well in the second round,” explained head coach Sami Allen. “We did have a stunt that didn’t go completely up and another one that never twisted, but the team was able to forget that and keep going. They sold their routine and were proud of it.”
After their first routine, CAHS had a nine point lead over their competitors. Coaching staff decided to keep the information to themselves, so the Panthers could focus on their second round. “Our scores were lower than at the regional competition,” said Allen. “We knew that we needed a clean round to hold on to first place.”
The six seniors on the squad, Ashley Brewer, Shelby Hallett, Miranda Levesque, Shannon Michaud, Latisha Neece and Michelle Tweedie, pumped up the Augusta audience and impressed the judges enough to win their first state title. Other members include Rachael Donahue, Kaila Foster, Kassey LeClaire, Brittni Mosher, Sarah Michaud, Rachel Donovan, Kyle Donahue and Ariel Nappi.
The teams hopes to continue on to the New England competition in Woburn, Mass. on Mar. 15, and is working on fundraising for the trip.