Buckfield Bucks
Coach: Jennifer Dobson (first year) and Vickie Dobson (first year)
Class: D
Last year’s results: Sixth at Class D North/South regional championship, sixth at Class D state championship
Team roster: Seniors — Hailey McNeil, Marie Roberston, Meagan Strout, Cassidy Hart, Panata Buttirachai (Way Way); Junior — Wyatt Lewis; Sophomores — Chloe Warren, Molly Bourget, Saige Collette, Pacha Tripp; Freshmen — Ashley Gurney, Hannah McNeil
What to expect: Jennifer Dobson, a former Buckfield cheerleader and a volunteer assistant last year, takes over the program with the help of her mother, Vickie. The Bucks return nearly everyone from last year and add in a couple freshmen. The team is hoping to get a top-three finish at regionals and add to the trophy case at the school. Dobson said with enough work the girls have what it takes to do that.
Dirigo Cougars
Coach: Ami-Jo Arsenault (second year)
Class: C South Conference: MVC
Last year’s results: Second at MVC championship, third at Class C South regional championship, 10th at Class C state championship
Returning athletes: Senior — Elizabeth Gallant; Junior — Felicity Boulanger; Sophomore — Emily Fretz
Key losses: Gina Kubesh, Kayla Brooks, McKayala O’Brien
Promising newcomers: Senior — Carly Welch; Freshman — Kailey Hackett
What to expect: The Cougars dealt with plenty of attrition last year, but did well enough to make it to the state championship. Now they’ve more than doubled their roster size, though many of the athletes are inexperienced. Still, with steady progression Dirigo has a chance to improve on last year’s showing.
Edward Little Red Eddies
Coach: Ruby Hathorne (third year); assistant, Amber Hathorne (third year)
Class: A North Conference: KVAC
Last year’s results: 10th at KVAC championship, ninth at Class A North regional championship
Returning athletes: Juniors — Alivia Storer, Mackenzie Ames, Alex Giasson, Abby Field; Sophomores — Bryanne Warren, Ruthie Beal, Mckenna Muldoon
Promising newcomers: Juniors — Emma Wilchli, Kaylee Giles; Sophomore — Makayla Strout; Freshmen — Emily Ouelette, Ema Lamontagne, Naomi Taylor, Annie Bryant, Alisha Sayler
What to expect: Hathorne has high expectations for this year’s team, which is more experienced than the ones she had her first two seasons. The Red Eddies should see significant improvement in their tumbling, with some of the new team members already bringing that skill with them. The returning members have the drive to make the jump this season and qualify for states.
Gray-New Gloucester Patriots
Coach: Melissa Burila (fourth year at Gray-NG, 21st year overall)
Class: B South Conference: WMC
Last year’s results: Fifth at WMC championship, seventh at Class B South regional championship
Returning athletes: Seniors — Sarah Levier, Taylor Adams, Elisabeth Seliga, Maddie Testa; Juniors — Emily Fitz, Shawna Henry; Sophomore — Autumn Levier
Promising newcomers: Seniors — Emily Pike, Lauren Malloy; Junior — Taylor McLean; Sophomore — Kayleigh Burrage; Freshmen — Samantha Lick, Abby Spinney, Jasmine Gamache, Mackenzie Baston
What to expect: The Patriots were in the unenviable spot of seventh at last year’s regionals, meaning they were in the first spot not to qualify for states. This year they’re in the enviable position of having a solid core of veterans as well as a large contingent of newcomers. Burila said many of the incoming team members bring plenty of talent with them. The Patriots are looking forward to what could be a great season for them.
Leavitt Hornets
Coach: Stephanie Richardson (first year)
Class: B South Conference: KVAC
Last year’s results: KVAC Class B runners-up, third in Class B South regional championship, fifth in Class B state championship
Team roster: Seniors — Karlee Barry, Sophie Fournier, Paige Grant, Allyson Nason; Juniors — Hope Hutchinson, Jaime McGray, Emma Polley, Anna Prosser, Allie Roux, Kristen Roux; Sophomores — Chloe Bellegarde, Colby Brooks, Brielle Ouellette; Freshmen — Eliza Bellegarde, Kerrigan Casella, Marley Coburn, Baylee Lane, Aaliyah Mayo, Brooke Nason, Abigail Prosser, Bailey Whitcomb
What to expect: Richardson takes over a program that saw some success last year at the conference, regional and state levels. A large freshmen class gives the Hornets bigger numbers than they’ve had in a while, and the combination of roster size and talent puts them in position to contend once again.
Lewiston Blue Devils
Coach: Lysa Laverdiere (third year)
Class: A North Conference: KVAC
Last year’s results: KVAC Class A runners-up, Class A North regional champions, Class A state champions, New England co-ed division runners-up
Returning athletes: Seniors —Maggie Belleau, Jordan Girouard, Maraeka Merchant, Maddie Regner; Juniors — Megan Gaudette, Sydney Hill, Nicholas Roy, Marissa Larock, Shelby Rucker, Bryanna Bagnato, Jillian Pelletier, Kali Monteiro, Kyra Physic, Kaylyn Ritchie; Sophomores — Abby Levasseur, Grace Porter, Katelyn Ingerson, Maddie Morgan
Key losses: Morgan Allen, Hailee Ingerson, Alison Porter, Tawni Zamrock
Promising newcomers: Freshmen — Isabelle Dube, Skylar Gelinas, Katie Lavallee
What to expect: The Blue Devils have set high expectations for themselves as usual. They hope to increase the difficulty of their routine and work intensely in preparation for what is expected to be another successful season.
Lisbon Greyhounds
Coach: Nicole Adams (fifth year)
Class: C South Conference: MVC
Last year’s results: MVC runners-up, Class C South regional champions, Class C state champions
Returning athletes: Seniors — Savannah Czechalski, Sydney Douglass, Emma Houle, Nikki Pagan, Kayla Roberts, Molly Ryder, Antigone Woodbury; Junior — Olivia Clark; Sophomores — Oceana Assignon, Emma Cleaves, Mykayla Harrington, Megan Ross, Madison Valcourt, Vannessa Wasielewski
Promising newcomers: Sophomore — Caitlyn Hall; Freshmen — Amanda Bergin, Tristen Bouffard, Makayla Driscoll, Bella Mooney, Naudia Rodriguez, Maddy Ryder, Riece St. Amant
What to expect: The Greyhounds return a strong core of veterans from last year’s state championship team. They hope to remain competitive in the season’s biggest competitions and build off of last year’s showing.
Monmouth Academy Mustangs
Coach: Shannon Fields (third year); assistant Amelia Rowe (second year)
Class: C South Conference: MVC
Last year’s results: Third at Class C South regional championship, eighth at Class C state championship
Returning athletes: Seniors — Sarah Scott, Jenna Brown, Briana Jamison; Juniors — Madeline Lombardo, Morgan Crocker; Sophomore — Brie-Anna Bates
Promising newcomers: Freshmen — Alicen Burnham, Chloe Dwinal, Rhayna Poulin, Dani Dulac, Delaney Houston
What to expect: This is the biggest squad Fields has had in her three years, which she said opens up some new opportunities as far as what they can do. That means more complete stunt groups and more tumbling, both of which can help the Mustangs’ scoring ability.
Mt. Blue Cougars
Coach: Holly Harrington (25th year)
Class: A North Conference: MVC
Last year’s results: Sixth at KVAC Class A championship, sixth at Class A North regional championship, 12th at Class A state championship; Class A North sportsmanship award for second straight year
Returning athletes: Lauren Littlefield, Brianna Jackson, Britnie Macomber, Lauren Gould, Josie Damren, Kate Pond, Autumn Conklin, Jenny Kerr, Miriam Sinclair, Sam Ellis, Morgon-Ashli Macomber, Sylvia Williamson, Valerianne Hinkley.
Promising newcomers: Freshmen — Alexandra Cook, Tricia Souther-Bowering, Allyson Walsh, Haley Walsh.
What to expect: With plenty of returners, the Cougars have made it a their team goal to qualify for the state championship for a third-consecutive year. They also are looking to increase their routine score from last season in hopes of better placings.
Mountain Valley Falcons
Coach: Josette Duguay (third year); assistant, Kate Cote (third year)
Class: B South Conference: MVC
Last year’s results: MVC champions, fifth at Class B South regional championship, tied for eighth at Class B state championship
Team roster: Seniors — Lauren Sterling, Abigail Blauvelt, Hailey McNally; Juniors — Mackenzie Arsenault, Abbey Duguay, Sydney Woods, Ariana Viger, Kylee Pelletier, Christina Mills; Sophomores — Emily Davis, Erin Landry, Hunter Blauvelt, Dalton Noyes; Freshmen — Nicole Pelletier, Tricia White, Gracie Farnum, Haley Richard, Miranda Azcona
What to expect: While the Falcons did a lose a trio of veterans due to graduation, they have a talented group of newcomers to fill the void. Duguay and the team are looking at their score sheets from last year to see where they can improve, and they hope to build on last year’s conference title and state championship appearance.
Oak Hill Raiders
Coach: Louise Gauthier (fifth year)
Class: B South Conference: MVC
Last year’s results: eight at Class B South regional championship
Returning athletes: Senior — Sarah Duchesneau; Sophomores — Peyton Wright, Meaddoe Brown, Autumn Byras, Mykayla Greenleaf, Noah Garnett, Kirstin Hahn, Isabelle Michaud
Promising newcomers: Senior — Sidney Mills; Sophomore — Morgan Inman; Freshmen — Kenzie Parker, Kiara Levesque
What to expect: The Raiders expect this to be a very promising season, with a core of sophomores who gained valuable experience, to go along with a mix of veteran upperclassmen and some talented freshmen. Gauthier thinks her squad has the makings of a championship team, and they have the drive to fulfill their potential.
Oxford Hills Vikings
Coach: Deb Loveless (31st year); assistant, Jessie Brooks (ninth year)
Class: A North Conference: KVAC
Last year’s results: Third in KVAC championship, fourth in Class A North regional championship, sixth in Class A state championship
Returning athletes: Lexi O’Neil, Sydney Rowell, Marissa Morin, Jazlynn Newcomb, Jazmyne Cohen, Annie Choi, Rachael Sawyer, Cassidy Walo, Jacey Goodrich
Key losses: Arianna Greene, Haley Wakefield, Katelynn Watkins
Promising newcomers: Gwen Cyr, Hallie Stevens
What to expect: The Vikings qualified for the New England championship for the first time in program history last year, and Loveless and her team have made it their goal to work toward getting back there.
Poland Knights
Coach: Sarah Watson (third year)
Class: B South Conference: WMC
Last year’s results: Seventh at WMC championship, 11th at Class B South regional championship
Returning athletes: Seniors — Kaile Leighton, Alexis Verrill; Juniors — Hannah Gordon, Madison Haley; Sophomores — Abby Champagne, Ashley Hemenway, Autumn Willis
Key loss: Klarissa Emery
Promising newcomers: Junior — Kendra Hart; Sophomores — Haley Levasseur, Felicia Greene, Maddie Suchecki; Freshmen — Lexi Lessard, Ashley Bosse
What to expect: The Knights have set a goal of qualifying for states. Watson, as well as assistant coach Jacob Backman, believe the team is on the rise, and with some key additions to the team, they think that goal is achievable.
Spruce Mountain Phoenix
Coach: Dianna Pomerleau (third year at Spruce Mountain, 17th overall)
Class: B South Conference: MVC
Last year’s results: Tenth at Class B South regional championship
Team roster: Jasper Butler, Anna Bradford, Ashlyn Williams, Hannah Maurais, Harmony Castonguay, Avery Williams, Kassidy Thompson, Abby Drummond, Marissa McMannus, Lila Ortega, Elizabeth Hewins, Riley Gray, Kim Webster, Faith Gobeli, Emilie Paul, Emaline Dorey, Korin Brown
What to expect: The Phoenix have a bigger roster than last year, and Pomerleau is thinks that could translate to a better routine score. The core of the team is the juniors, so Pomerleau should have plenty of veteran leadership to help direct the seven new team members.
St. Dominic Academy Saints
Coach: Katie Gosselin (second year)
Class: C South Conference: WMC
Last year’s results: Seventh at Class C South regional championship
Returning athletes: Seniors — Eisa Lee, Jasmyne Thornton; Junior — Morgan Roy
Key losses: Sarah Clark, Taylor Jorgensen, Hannah Trottier-Braun; Tori Chase
Promising newcomers: Freshmen — Abrine Pilots, Aaliyah Cruz, Cassie Wardwell
What to expect: The Saints finished one spot out of qualifying for the state championship last year. To make that next step they’ll have to fill the holes left by departed team members from last year.
Cheerleading
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