By Chris Paul
The Londonderry Varsity Cheerleading squad competed in the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association’s Division I State Championship over the weekend and finished in the number five spot out of 16 high school teams.
The Pinkerton Academy Astros Spirit squad regained their status of Division I Champions, taking first after having to sit out last year’s competition.
The NHIAA Division I Fall Spirit State Championship Tournament was hosted by Pinkerton Academy on Sunday morning, Nov. 7, and the Astros edged out last year’s championship team, Dover High School, by just 1.7 points.
The PA girls finished the championship with 105.1 points. Dover finished second with 103.4 and Concord was third in the division with 101.3.
The Londonderry Lancers squad had 94.7 points for fifth and the Salem High School team finished with 95.6 points in fourth place.
Fans from all over the granite state filled the stands of the Hackler Gymnasium with a room full of energy and excitement cheering on each three-minute routine that was performed.
In the last 11 years, the Pinkerton squad has won nine fall titles, Londonderry beat them back in 2017 and PA didn’t compete last year due to COVID-19.
Members of the LHS team are: Seniors, Brooke Bodkin, Ava Campbell and Madison Oulette; juniors Sarah Abladian, Makenzie Bodkin, Madison Gehris, Isabell Roy and Kennedy Brown; sophomores Isabella Chick, Brenna Langley, Angelina Mochrie, Emily Oullette, Haley Sibley, Kathleen Grassis and Madison Wholley; and freshman Eva Sesin.
The team’s head coach Chelsea Dennis was assisted this year by Nicole Otis and Stefanie Medrek.