BANGOR – Saturday’s state cheering championships at the Bangor Auditorium ended in a clean sweep for Western Maine teams. Bonny Eagle of West Buxton, Scarborough, Traip Academy of Kittery, and Monmouth Academy won state titles.

Except for Class B, all other classes saw the 1994 state champs successfully defend their titles in front of almost 2,000 fans.

In Class A, the Bonny Eagle Scots won their second straight state championship by four points over runner-up Oxford Hills. Eastern Maine titlist Bangor was third and Lewiston fourth.

In Class B, Scarborough scored 81 points to edge runner-up Leavitt of Turner (79.33). Defending state champ Marshwood of Eliot (77.67) placed third and EM champ Bucksport (75.33) was fourth.

In Class C, Traip dethroned 1994 champ Washington Academy 85.33 points to 80. Woodland (78) was third and Katahdin of Sherman Station (66.67) placed fourth.

“I can’t say we weren’t disappointed,” said coach, Kathy Harmon. “But then, it’s hard to be disappointed with six straight Eastern titles, two state championships, and three state runner-ups.”

Harmon said the western Maine teams looked like they’d gained a step on the eastern squads.

“Looking at the whole thing overall, I think the west’s stunts were more difficult and added more variety this year,” she said.

In Class D, the Monmouth Mustangs claimed their second consecutive state title with 79.33 points to runner-up and EM titlist Jonesport-Beals’ 75. Central Aroostook of Mars Hill (65.67) was third and Buckfield (61.33) fourth.

Jonesport-Beals coach Donna Alley was pleased with the progress they’ve made in the last two years.

“Most of the girls on this team are veterans. They’ve cheered in these things before so they were prepared. It’s what they’ve been working for all year,” said Alley, who was the team’s assistant coach the previous two seasons.

Alley explained that because her team doesn’t have the ability to incorporate the glamourous flips and other gymnastic-type moves many other teams use in their routines, their second-place finish was all the more gratifying.

“We don’t do any flips. We don’t have any gymnastics in our school system,” explained Alley. “We have to try and add things in other areas. We try to have a lot more spirit and pep to make up for whatever we lack.”

Jonesport-Beals’ predicament is one reason the score sheets used by judges at these competitions have been revamped in recent years.

According to head official Denise Gelinas of Biddeford, the scoring process is set up so a team not having the ability to execute complex moves can still compete with those who can.

“It works the other way, too. A team that might not be particularly creative can make up for it by including difficult stunts,” said Gelinas. “Difficult stunts will only help you, they won’t count against you if you mess them up.”

Each team’s routine was scored by five judges. The highest possible score is 100. The highest score and lowest score are thrown out, and the remaining three are averaged to compute the team score.

For example: Jonesport-Beals received scores of 79, 71, 81, 75, and 69 for their routine in the finals. The 81 and 69 were thrown out, and the other scores were averaged for a 75.

Teams were judged on overall execution, projection (how well they’re heard and understood), fundamentals, execution and degree of difficulty of their jumps, tumbles, and pyramids, and their dance routine, overall creativity, choreography, and appeal, and their perfection of routine.

Each of the 10 major categories is worth a maximum of 10 points.

State Cheerleading

CLASS A Bonny Eagle 88.00 Oxford Hills 84.00

CLASS B Scarborough 81.00 Leavitt 79.33

CLASS C Traip Academy 85.33 Washington Academy 80.00

CLASS D Monmouth Academy 79.33 Jonesport-Beals 75.00

Cheerleading

High Schools AT BANGOR AUDITORIUM CLASS A STATE FINAL

Bonny Eagle 88, Oxford Hills 84, Bangor 80.33, Lewiston 77.33, Brewer 78.33, Gardiner 74.67, Edward Little 72.33, Brunswick 64.67, Skowhegan 64.33 CLASS B

Scarborough 81, Leavitt 79.33, Marshwood 77.67, Bucksport 75.33, Winslow 70.67, Houlton 66.67, Ellsworth 66.33, Lisbon 63.33 CLASS C

Traip Academy 85.33, Washington Academy 80, Woodland 78, Katahdin 66.67, Madison 69 (first round), Calais 64.33, St. Dominic 63.67, Calais 64.33, Winthrop 62 CLASS D

Monmouth Academy 79.33, Jonesport-Beals 75, Central Aroostook 65.67, Buckfield 61.33, Ashland 58, (tie) Vinalhaven 57 and Forest Hills 57, Washburn 56.33