BANGOR, Maine — It is on to the state Class B cheering championships for the Houlton High School squad after the Shiretowners finished as runners-up in the region Saturday at the Bangor Auditorium.
Team scores for the event were: Sumner, 132.4; 2, Houlton, 123.1; 3, Washington Academy, 122.4; 4, Central, 122; 5, Dexter, 120; 6, Orono, 115.6; 7, Penquis, 108.5; 8, Woodland, 106; 9, Foxcroft Academy, 103.4; 10, Calais, 102; 11, Narraguagus, 101.1; 12, George Stevens, 99.1; and 13, Penobscot Valley, 89.5.
Coach Julie Dunn said the Shiretowners came into the competition hoping to finish in the top six, just to get the chance to advance to the state competition. So when Houlton was announced as the regional runners-up, the squad burst into jubilation.
“We had a six-point deduction, which is a major deduction,” coach Dunn said. “We had a stunt where one of our tumblers’ knees touched the mat. But, hey, with 12 freshmen on the squad, I couldn’t be happier than I am right now.”
Prior to the start of the competition, Houlton cheerleader Stephanie Kreyssig sang the National Anthem.
Other members of the Houlton squad include Sarah Bouchard, Lauren Bragan, Amber Carmichael, Danielle Daigle, Jennifer Farrar, Kristen Farwell, Jordyn Findlater, Elizabeth Flint, Taylor Forest, Marcy Hernandez, Erynne Howland, , Taylor Lindsay, Meghan Maker, Ashley McNinch, Brandon Murphy, Crystal Nason, Melissa Peabody, Marguerite Russell, Mikaela Tuttle and Franki White.
