The Warren Rec Panthers placed first in the grade 4-6 Peewee division 1 at the Maine Elementary/ Junior High School Youth Cheering championships on Sun., March 5 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. The yearly event is sponsored by the Calais Recreation Department.
The Panthers scored 89 points to beat out nearest competitors Hancock Hornets (61.5) and Mountain View Cougars (43).
Cheering for the Warren Rec Panthers are Alex Gallagher, Katrina McIntosh, Caitlyn Robbins, Aaliyah Thompson, Arden Kondracki, Kylie Miller, Alexa Miller, Jalyn Drost, Grace McClean, Kaleigh Austin, Samantha Richardson, Braelyn Hood, Hope Mason, Eliana Gross, Alyssa Grindle, Melissa Fogg, Molly Simmons, Amanda Wheelis, Ashlyn Ward and Skylah Ward. The team is coached by Claire Power, Julie Schumann, Vikki Swan and Patricia Leach.
These “18 girls competed and left their heart on the floor, two weekends in a row” and took “first place each time,” coach Claire Power said.
The Panthers also won at Lawrence on Feb. 25. The Warren Cubs and Warren Whiskers placed third.
“Our Warren Panthers cheerleading squad has a ton of talent and we wanted it to shine so the rest of the state could see what they had to offer. We always want to do better the next season so we decided to amp up the routine this season with stunts that were a bit more advanced, especially at the PeeWee (elementary school age) level and increase our difficulty in tumbling skills while also increasing the amount of girls that could do it. We were big into using the “wow” factor so we could knock it out of the park. And I would say, this year, we definitely did it. So proud of all our cheerleaders and coaches. Our motto this year was …..”start unknown, finish unforgettable”….. And that we did.” said head coach Claire Power.
The Warren Panthers show off their winning form. (Paula Roberts photo)
Wiscasset cheerleaders leap into the air during their performance in Bangor on Sunday. (Paula Roberts photo)
The Dolls K-2 division 1 was won by Firehouse Sparks (45.5) out of Topsham. The Ellsworth Mini Falcons took second (43.5). The Warren Rec Kittens placed fifth (31.5).
The Dolls K-2 division 2 was won by Tri Town Cheer.
The Mini grade 3-5 division 1 winner was Firehouse Flames (68.5), with Calais Rec Blue Devils taking second (60). The Warren Rec Cubs placed fifth with 40.5 points.
Peewee, grade 4-6, division 2 awards went to 1. Velocity Cheer Momentum, and 2. Hancock Rec.
The Cheer Magic Pixies took first in the Tiny All-star 5 & under division.
Cheeer Magic Wildcards took first in Mini All-Stars, 8 & under, D1 and All Star Sparklers second.
Youth all-Star, 8 & under awards went to Cheer Atlantic and Eastern Maine Elite.
Junior All-Star winners in the 14 & under D1 were 1. Cheer Magic Illusion and 2. All-Star Sparkettes.
Cheer Magic King & Queens (special needs) won the Spirit Award.
The Lamoine Lions won the Mixed K-5 division and the Woodland Dragons were second.
The Woodland Dragons won the Mixed grade 3-8 division 2 title and MDI YMCA tigers took second.
The Peninsula Bulldogs won the Mixed 3-8 D1 division and Ellsworth Falcons were second.
Tri Town Cheer won the Junior High grade 6-8 division 2 with 103 points, beating our Velocity Cheer Force (90.5). The Medomak Middle Riverhawks placed fifth with 76 points, and the Wiscasset Heat seventh with 56 points.
