The returning champions in each of Maine’s three cheerleading classes will have a chance to defend their titles at the state finals on Saturday, after each winning their regional tournaments this past weekend at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.
Ellsworth secured its third straight Class B North championship, and heads to the Augusta Civic Center on Saturday in search of its third straight state title.
Defending Class A champs Lewiston won the Class A North regional Saturday, and last year’s Class C winner Lisbon/St. Dominic won the Class C South regional. Lisbon and St. Dom’s teamed up to win the last two championships in 2024 and 2023, and a solo Lisbon squad won in 2022. Lewiston has earned eight of the last 17 state championships.
The top eight performers from each region will head to Augusta for the state final. Joining Lewiston from Class A North are Oxford Hills, Bangor, Hampden, Brewer, Windham, Skowhegan and Edward Little.
The eight teams competing at the state level from Class A South are Scarborough/Falmouth, Bonny Eagle, Thornton Academy, Gorham, Sanford, Noble, Massabesic and Kennebunk.
Along with Ellsworth, the teams from Class B North that earned spots at the Augusta competition are Hermon, Lawrence, Winslow, Mount Desert Island, Old Town, Waterville/Messalonskee and Mt. Blue.
Class B South will be represented by Gray-New Gloucester, Medomak Valley, Gardiner/Hall-Dale, Poland, Morse/Wiscasset/Mt. Ararat, Leavitt, Oceanside and Erskine Academy.
The top eight finishers in Class C North were Houlton/Greater Houlton Christian, Dexter, Mattanawcook Academy, Central Aroostook, Calais, Foxcroft Academy, Penobscot Valley and Woodland.
Led by Lisbon and St. Dom’s, the other Class C South finalists are Central, Bucksport, Orono, Mountain Valley, Bangor Christian/Penobscot Christian, Sacopee Valley and Monmouth.