Cheering regionals: Lewiston turns in another dazzling performance; Dirigo tops in Class C South

The Blue Devils proved again that they are one tough act to follow or beat in the Maine High School Invitational regional cheerleading competitions at the Augusta Civic Center on Saturday.

Lewiston’s timing, energy and poise seemed impeccable during a routine that brought the house down. When the Blue Devils performed their pyramids, the cheerleaders who stood at the top didn’t flinch. That splendid performance means the Blue Devils will be strutting their stuff at the state championship.

Lewiston topped them all with 84.7 points, followed by Bangor with 79.7. Oxford Hills scored 70.8 to take fourth place. Mt. Blue (64.9) followed, placing fifth. The Vikings and Cougars are both heading to the state championships, too. Edward Little finished ninth with 59.1 points.

Lewiston coach Lysa Laverdiere appeared to be speechless after Lewiston rocked the Civic Center with a routine that had more energy than the blizzard ripping through the East Coast.

“We are very happy, Laverdiere said. “I think we made the improvement that we needed to from Monday, and they really worked hard for me this week.

“It (the routine) was slightly different. There was a little bit of difficulty. We added few more things, and we still have a couple of more tricks up our sleeves that we are saving for the state championship.”

As far as the Blue Devils’ poise and moving in unison, Laverdiere had a simple explanation for Lewiston’s stunning performance.

“I think that is something that we really focus on in practice,” she explained. “Striving perfections and doing the best we can, and they really did well today.

“Now it is on to the states. They are coming for us, but we are ready.”

Fourth-place Oxford Hills was also ready for this competition.

“I think going first is very difficult for them,” Vikings coach Deb Loveless said. “They were up at 3:30, 4 o’clock in the morning to get here, so it was really tough for them.

“Not a lot people in the stands so getting going was difficult, but they did well.”

In Class C, Dirigo earned first place with 64.5 points. The feisty Cougars also won the regional last year. Monmouth Academy (57.2) took third, St. Dominic (57) followed in fourth place and Lisbon (55.5) finished fifth.

“Actually, we lost a girl two days ago, and we worked our routine, so I wasn’t really expecting it, but they really, really worked hard and they definitely hit today,” Dirigo coach Melissa Carrier said. “We have been really working hard at the beginning of the season to get those harder elements and they have really gotten there.

“They did really well. It is the best they have performed so far this season. We put someone else new as a base and she did amazing.”

Monmouth tumbled and took to the air to land in third place, allowing the Mustangs compete in states. Like Dirigo, Monmouth had to wing it after the loss off two cheerleaders.

“I am amazed at this happened, honestly,” Monmouth coach Shannon Fields said. “They did so, so well after such challenges this week. We already found out that somebody was ineligible. Somebody got hurt last night so we had to redo the whole (routine) last night, and they did absolutely amazing.

“I am just so proud they remembered all the changes. They persevered just so much and did everything they needed to do, and they were confident. It worked really well.”

In Class B South, Medomak came out on top with 74.1 points, but Gray-New Gloucester took second place 61.2 to secure a trip to the state championships.

The Patriots took to the air with their high-flying act and impressed the judges with their back flips and cartwheels.

“They needed to have confidence,” Gray-New Gloucester Melissa Burila said. “There’s a difference between winning and having the confidence to do your very best. It is mental toughness.

“They had a rough week and they just stuck together as a team and that probably did it. I am very proud of them. They worked as a team. They need to realize how good they are.”

Mountain Valley (56.9) earned its trip to the states with a fifth-place finish.

The Falcons demonstrated their discipline with back flips and cartwheels. According to Mountain Valley coach Josette Duguay, all that hard work paid off.

“We had practices after MVCs with a full team. We did some changes from the comments we got from the judges from that competition,” she said. “These guys really worked hard and wanted to do well when they got here.

“I am very proud of them. Last year, we were Class C. This year, we are Class B, so a big difference. We had to really work hard to be competitive.”

1. Lewiston 86.7 points

2. Bangor 79.7

3. Brewer 72.8

4. Oxford Hills 70.8

5. Mt. Blue 64.9

6. Brunswick 62.7

7. Hampden Academy 61.5

8. Edward Little 59.1

9. Lawrence 63.5

10. Mt. Ararat 55.5

11. Cony 49.7