FARMINGTON – The Mt. Blue High School gymnasium was packed with family and friends cheering on the cheerleaders.
There was plenty of applause at the benefit exhibition that supports the area’s cheerleading programs held Sunday morning as various age groups from pre-kindergarten on up to the high school squad performed their gravity-defying stunts.
With the Class A Mt. Blue High School cheerleaders just one week away from competing at the state championships there was an added excitement in the big room.
The excitement was not only for the chance to compete at Maine’s premier cheering competition, but because it’s been five years since this team has advanced to states.
Last week Mt. Blue earned a berth at the championships by placing fifth with 64.9 points at the Regional Cheering Competition in Augusta. Lewiston came in first at the competition with 84.7 points, Bangor with 79.7 points, Brewer 72.8 points, Oxford Hills 70.8 points and coming in sixth was Brunswick with 62.7 points. All six teams in each of the state’s school classes qualify to go to the big show in Bangor on Feb. 6.
This 13-member Mt. Blue squad going on to states is special, Coach Holly Harrington noted with a smile.
“They’re a dedicated and determined group of kids,” she said. The cheerleaders smiles are genuine because “they’re really having fun,” she added.
Smiling big is very important, as are the choreographed precise sharp movements, stunt difficulty, timing and all those high jumps. Everything is taken into account when it comes to scoring a team’s performance.
Safety is the most important of all, said Coach Sandra Farmer. While Harrington, with assistant Jess Baker, coaches the high school squad, Farmer oversees the four team divisions, from pre-kindergarten up through the middle school squads.
Farmer of Farmington, was a Mt. Blue High School cheerleader in 1994-’95 and had Harrington of East Wilton, as her coach. Harrington started coaching cheerleading here in 1992 and, but for a few years off, thinks she’s got 22 years or so in teaching now generations of cheerleaders.
Farmer’s daughter, Samantha, is a Mt. Blue cheerleader, too, who, like many on the high school team, serve as an assistant coach for the younger cheering groups. The junior coaches learn important leadership roles, Farmer said.
Along with her team’s dedication, Harrington credits the success from having more practice time in the gym where all the mats can be laid down at once so the team can work within the regulation-size area used at the competitions.
Before the performances, Farmer told the crowd, “First, I’d like to thank all of the parents.”
Congratulations Holly and ladies! Way to represent Mt. Blue!
Good luck ladies we all are so proud
I love to see the generations of families in that group photo!! Holly you’ve worked hard for this program and I’m proud to continue that wok with the Rec program! I wish the High School so much luck at States on Saturday!!!
The best of luck to all the cheerleaders and their staff! What a super collection of hard-working young talent you have and are developing! Show them what we can do in Western Maine!
Congratulations Ladies you have all worked so hard. Thanks Coach Holly for all your love and support for these girls. Teaching them life lessons of hard work, dedication and friendship. Best of Luck at States! Show them what your made of Ladies!
Good Luck ladies, you have worked hard for this!! Strut your stuff!!
Carol
Way to go Mt. Blue!! Good luck at states!