Dexter finishes as Class C cheer runner-up
AUGUSTA — In the closest competition of the four 2023 state cheering championships at the Augusta Civic Center on Saturday, Feb. 11, the Lisbon-St. Dominic’s of Auburn cooperative squeaked by Dexter Regional High School by only .20 points (78.40-78.20) to defend its C title and win its third crown in five years.
Central High of Corinth was third behind Lisbon-St. Dom’s and Dexter among 18 teams in Class C. Central tallied 68.70 points, Completing the top 10 were Winslow (67.40), Bucksport (62.80), Sumner of East Sullivan (61.30), Houlton/Greater Houlton Christian (58.70), Dirigo of Dixfield (57.70), Mountain Valley of Rumford (57.45) and Spruce Mountain of Jay (54.75).
Teams 11-18 were Calais (54.20), Mattanawcook of Lincoln/Penobscot Valley of Howland (54.05), Orono (52.90), Foxcroft Academy (39.90), Sacopee Valley (38.60), Oak Hill (35.60), Caribou (28), and Mount View of Thorndike (25.70).
NO. 2 TEAM — Dexter performs its routine in the 2023 Class C cheer championship Saturday at the Augusta Civic Center. The Tigers placed second in the competition, just behind Lisbon-St. Dominic’s at 78.40 points to 78.20.
Central Aroostook of Mars Hill returned to the pinnacle of Class D after a two-year hiatus.
Central Aroostook, which had captured the D North-South regional by nearly 20 points, won by a much closer margin as it was 4.30 points better than runnerup Bangor Christian (50.40-46.10).
There were only eight teams in D North-South.
In third place behind Central Aroostook and Bangor Christian was Machias (39.50) and completing the field were Narraguagus (35.00), Boothbay Region (34.20), Woodland (32.70), Penquis of Milo (30.50) and Fort Fairfield (28.70).
UP IN THE AIR — Dexter finished as the Class C runners-up at Saturday’s state championship in Augusta. Foxcroft Academy joined Dexter at the competition, and Penquis came in seventh in Class D.
The Panthers won 12 of 13 state titles between 2008-2020 but was unseated by Penobscot Valley of Howland in 2021 and then Monmouth/Winthrop took home last year’s championship.
The Dexter cheer roster is made up of seniors Tiffany Heinrichs, Elyssa Jerome, Kelsey Loggans, Hailee McCourt, and Cristin Warner; juniors Elizabeth Roberts and McKenzie Trafton; sophomores Sunny Bache, Alyvia Dorman, Andrea Gilman, Kenzie Kimball, and Fannie Patel; freshmen Taylor Michaud and Abigail Trafton; and head coach Kirstie Mower and coach Danielle Mower.
Cheering for Foxcroft are seniors Kaitlyn Cookson, Lauren Martin, Aliza Pulkkinen, and Constanza Vela Walkup; juniors Jack Kingsbury, Amara Perfect, and Linnea Rein; sophomore Lea Schnetzer and Dragana Stanic; freshmen Kailin Clark and Ashlyn Mageau; and head coach Jade Harmon.
The Penquis team is comprised of seniors Jahlysa Cruz, Syreniti Grant, Sky Guzy, and Mickayla Pierce; juniors Layla Chai; sophomores Lucas Chai, Mackenzie Fernald, Samantha Lane, Autumn Linscott, and Whitnee Stone; freshmen Emily Higgins and Melanie Paquette; and head coach Tammy Murano coach Alyssa Murano.
The Bangor Daily News’ Larry Mahoney contributed to this story.