County Cheering Squads Represent Well in Augusta
Central Aroostook High School Wins State Class D Cheering
By: David Deschesne
Fort Fairfield Journal, February 18, 2015
AUGUSTA, Maine—Seven Class D cheerleading teams from around the state converged on the Augusta Civic Center on Saturday, March 7 for the annual Maine State Cheerleading competition.
Class D schools Representing Aroostook County at the event were Central Aroostook and Fort Fairfield High Schools.
The Woodland Dragons were recognized with the 2015 Good Sportsmanship Award. Bangor Christian High School received first runner-up and once again the Central Aroostook Panthers won the State title.
The Panthers have won the State title seven times out of the last eight years, with Fort Fairfield being the only other school in that time period to win the title for Class D, in 2007.
This sets a new record for cheering with CAHS being the only Class C or D school in the State with the most number of total wins—twelve— at the State championship level.
This year’s Panther cheerleading team consisted of 18 cheerleaders with 2 
alternates—one of the largest in recent history. “This is the most we’ve ever had,” said coach, Sami Allen. “We usually have only twelve to fourteen on the floor.”
This year’s Panther cheerleading team consisted of 18 cheerleaders with 2 alternates—one of the largest in recent history. “This is the most we’ve ever had,” said coach, Sami Allen. “We usually have only twelve to fourteen on the floor.”
Coach Allen reflected on some of the challenges her cheerleaders had to contend with in the form illnesses and injuries. “Even though we had some bumps in the road we overcame all these obstacles. From mono, strep throat, and concussions just to name a few. My assistant coach, Janice and I never imagined that we would have twenty girls on our team. It was overwhelming at times but we would never change it. All of our cheerleaders became part of our huge family. We love each of them as our own daughters.”
Because of the size of the group, the CAHS cheerleaders were required to have more stunt groups and fielded as many as four separate groups on the floor at one time during the competition.
“At the state competition our routine that day was not our best but because our routine was more difficult we were named State champions where we broke another record. We are the first team to win seven out of eight championships.”
“Sami goes beyond coaching and truly cares about her cheerleaders as individuals,” said MSAD #42 Superintendent, Elaine Beaulieu. “She checks on their grades, is their advocate when she needs to be, believes in their abilities, treats them with respect and sets high expectations for herself and her cheerleaders. She is the perfect example of what a coach should be.”
The cheerleaders have practiced over 180 hours since November 17, not counting the time they spent at four cheering competitions.
This year’s winning score of 117.6 was one of the highest scores recorded of a Central Aroostook cheering team, second only to the 2012 team's winning score of 125.5.
By winning this year's cheering title, their twelfth in their school’s history, CAHS cheerleaders have added to their record the most cheering titles of any school in the State of Maine, Class C and Class D combined. CAHS is the only school in the State that has double digits in wins at State Championship cheering - the most Class D championships of any school with nine total and the only team in Maine's history to win seven championships in eight years.
To watch a short WFFJ-TV news video of the Class D competition and the reception held in Mars Hill, click here.
all photos/David Deschesne
