Medomak Valley cheerleaders edged out Leavitt on Saturday at the Augusta Civic Center, to win their fourth straight West Class B Regional cheering championship. Medomak performed their routine flawlessly. “They nailed it. It is the first time they have performed their routine perfectly,” coach Rachel Coor commented.
“They really deserve it. They have worked so hard,” co-coach Heather Simmons said.
Medomak scored 130.7 points to beat out the other 11 teams in the competition. Leavitt was second with 128.2, followed by Morse 107.2, Lake Region 105.4, Wells 104.6, Freeport 98.2, Spruce Mountain 96.2, Gray N-G 84.8, Poland 79.2, Greely 77.9, Fryeburg 75 and Lincoln Academy 73.6. The Eagles had a five point deduction, which otherwise would have placed them in 10th place.
Although the Panthers field a young squad in that they do not have any seniors, co-coach Rachel Coor said they are “all very experienced. All five juniors have been on the team for three years. The freshmen cheered at MMS, and others a competitive gymnasts program. They are young by grade level, but not new,” to the sport.
Medomak has had their share of obstacles to overcome this season, including missing 20 hours of practice time due to no school caused by bad weather and water issues at the school. One of their bases, Cassie Dever, injured her hand, returned then went out again with an ankle sprain. “She missed an entire month of practice,” Coor said. In addition, Coor missed an entire week of practice for health reasons.
“We got off to a slow start, but they made up for it. They came together at the exact right time. This was the first time they had done the routine perfectly in a game or in competition,” Coor added.
The Panthers had a week to adjust to a 25-second-long change to their routine from KVACs to Regionals. “We had big issues we needed to deal with. The kids were very accepting of changing stuff based on judges’ comments,” Coor commented.
Medomak cheerleaders have worked hard in the off-season, with the biggest improvement in their tumbling skills. “They tumbled three days a week in the summer, working through the (Waldoboro) Rec department, or through the Y at Camden or CLC (Damariscotta). Most of the kids end up tumbling year round. I have basically replaced summer cheer camp with tumbling,” Coor added. Matt Hanley of Andy Valley gymnastics in Lewiston has been working with the Lady Panthers for four years.
“The kids have worked really, really hard and parents have forked over quite a bit of money. They have really made the commitment to make part of the team. One hundred percent of the team does back handsprings,” Coor said.
When asked about the four straight wins and a Medomak Valley dynasty, Coor responded. “I don’t know that I would label it that. It is a very nice streak. I know Heather and I are proud of it.”
Although Coor has won three State cheering championships as a coach, Medomak Valley has yet to achieve that goal. She coached Rockland to a State title in 2003 and she collected two state titles while coaching in Colorado.
Medomak was State B runners-up last year. They are changing their routine again to try to eek out a few more points. “Herman and Ellsworth are very good again, and will certainly give us a run for our money,” Coor commented.
Coor said she gets a lot of comments about the smaller size of Medomak’s team this year. “It is important to validate the team effort. We have 10 on the floor. We made that decision based on who worked the hardest. We have 12 on the roster. Two alternates go to every practice, and fill in. They are very much a part of the team,” Coor added.
Coor and Simmons have been friends since high school and have coached together for many. The first time they coached together was around 1999-2000 when they coached Heather’s younger sister at Sumner High School. ” I knew when I got hired for this job who I wanted for my assistant. I chose her for my assistant right from day one,” Coor said.
“The kids love her, she is very nice. They can talk to her about interpersonal stuff. I’m more hard-core. She is very good with stunts, and basic grips. I’m the choreography person. Overall we are just a great team. Our brains think a lot alike. She is a great asset, she is great with the kids and they just love her,” Coor added.
