BIG EAST CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP

Time, site: Saturday, 7 p.m.; Bangor Auditorium (doors open to the public at 5 p.m.)

Teams competing: Bangor, Brewer, Bucksport, Caribou, Ellsworth, Foxcroft, Hampden, Houlton, John Bapst, MDI, Nokomis, Old Town, Presque Isle

Last season’s champion: Old Town

Teams to watch: Old Town, Houlton, Brewer, Bangor

Outlook: Several of the state’s top teams in Classes A and B compete at this meet, which is the first of the competitive season. The Indians are the defending Eastern Maine Class B champions and were runners-up to the Shiretowners at last year’s state championship. Houlton was second at the 2002 Big East competition in Presque Isle. The Witches were third at last season’s Class A states. Brewer and Bangor finished 1-2 at the Eastern Maine championships last year.

Notes: Admission is $4 for adults, $2 for students and senior citizens. Each team will perform its routine in the preliminary round; the top 50 percent plus ties will advance to the final round. Awards will be presented to the champion and runner-up teams. The championships are being held at the Bangor Auditorium for the first time in part because of the big crowds cheerleading draws, although Big East director Paul Soucy said renting the Auditorium costs a bit more than other sites. Holding the championships at the Auditorium also gives the Big East teams a chance to get used to the space, which is where the Eastern Maine and state competitions will be held this year.