CARIBOU, Maine — The Presque Isle Middle and High School cheering squads both captured top honors Friday evening in the 2022 Aroostook League Cheering Championships.
The High School Regional Cheer Championships take place Saturday, Jan. 29, at Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.
Held at Caribou High School, this year’s event featured both the middle and high school squads competing on the same night. In previous years, the two groups competed at separate events. Last year’s competition was held virtually because of COVID-19.
All participants were required to wear face coverings during the competition, as did all of the spectators.
Teams from Central Aroostook, Houlton, Presque Isle and Caribou competed in Friday’s event. Unlike previous years, squads were only able to perform once, meaning there was added pressure to nail their routines on the first try.
In the Middle School competition, the Wildcats tallied a score of 62.4 to claim the crown. Houlton placed second with 55.4 points, followed by Caribou, 52.9; and Central Aroostook, 46.3. The Panthers of Mars Hill were presented with the Spirit Award.
Best Middle School team dance and team tumbling both went to Presque Isle; best motions was awarded to Houlton; best team jumps was awarded to Caribou; and best team stunts went to Houlton.
In the High School competition, Presque Isle was first with 59.9 points, followed closely by Houlton with 57.8 points. Central Aroostook was third with 50.9 points and Caribou placed fourth with 46.1 points.
Houlton won best team dance, best team motions and best team jumps, while Presque Isle won best team dance and best team stunts. Central Aroostook won the High School Spirit Award.
CARIBOU, Maine — January 14, 2022 — Caribou’s Aidan Kelley performs a stunt during Friday night’s Aroostook League Cheering Championship in Caribou. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
CARIBOU, Maine — January 14, 2022 — Caribou’s Vivan Bell (front) leads the Caribou Middle School squad in a cheer during Friday night’s Aroostook League Cheering championships. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
CARIBOU, Maine — January 14, 2022 — Houlton Middle School’s Sage Bettencourt is lifted into the air. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
CARIBOU, Maine — January 14, 2022 — Members of the Caribou Middle School squad leap into the air during Friday night’s Aroostook League Cheering Championship. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
CARIBOU, Maine — January 14, 2022 — The Caribou High School cheering squad leaps into the air during Friday night’s Aroostook League Cheering Championship. In front is Landyn Hyde. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
CARIBOU, Maine — January 14, 2022 — Members of the Houlton High School cheer squad perform a stunt Friday evening at the Aroostook County championship in Caribou. Flipping upside down is Ariana Ardell as Emma McCarthy (left) and Amanda Thorne hold her arms. The Shires finished as runners up. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
CARIBOU, Maine — January 14, 2022 — Members of the Houlton Middle School Cheering squad leap into the air Friday evening at the Aroostook League Cheering Championships in Caribou. Team members are, from left, Sage Bettencourt, Amelia Flewelling, Jaycee Forest, Kenley Hatch, and Makala Sennett. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
CARIBOU, Maine — January 14, 2022 — Amanda Thorne of the Houlton High School cheer squad strikes a pose during Friday night’s Aroostook League Cheering Championships. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
CARIBOU, Maine — January 14, 2022 — Hoisted into the air are Houlton Middle School cheerleaders from left, Makala Sennett, Avayah Norton, and Sage Bettencourt. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
CARIBOU, Maine — January 14, 2022 — Houlton’s Lydia Byron (center) leaps into the air during the Shires’ routine Friday at the Aroostook County championships. Houlton finished as runners up. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
CARIBOU, Maine — January 14, 2022 — Central Aroostook High School’s Julia Pierce flies through the air. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
CARIBOU, Maine — January 14, 2022 — Kylie McCrum of the Central Aroostook Middle School squad leaps into the air during the Panthers’ routine Friday at Caribou. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
CARIBOU, Maine — January 14, 2022 — Members of the Central Aroostook Middle School cheer squad strike a pose during the 2022 Aroostook League Cheering championships Friday in Caribou. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
CARIBOU, Maine — January 14, 2022 — Members of the Central Aroostook Middle School cheer squad strike a pose during the 2022 Aroostook League Cheering championships Friday in Caribou. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
CARIBOU, Maine — January 14, 2022 — The Presque Isle High School cheering team leaps into the air in unison during Friday night’s Aroostook League Cheering Championship. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
CARIBOU, Maine — January 14, 2022 — The Presque Isle High School cheering squad competes Friday evening. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
CARIBOU, Maine — January 14, 2022 — Abigail Reed of Presque Isle Middle School performs on the mat during the 2022 Aroostook League Cheering Competition. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
CARIBOU, Maine — January 14, 2022 — Emmalyn Inman (left) and Olivia Sherman of the Presque Isle Middle School squad are hoisted into the air during their routine. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
