One-two – Pelham wins Class I; Salem is second in Class L

Salem Editor — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 17:52:00 GMT

A little more than a month after coming in second to rival Pembroke Academy at this year’s Kiwanis cheerleading competition, Pelham High’s spirit squad climbed back to the top of the Class I mountain.

On Feb. 25, the Lady Pythons used four weeks of extra practice to propel them to the state title at this year’s NHIAA spirit championship at the University of New Hampshire’s Whittemore Center.

“We put a lot of pressure on ourselves because we want to win so badly,” said Pythons head coach Michelle Parisi after Kiwanis. “It’s my last year, and this team has been the best I’ve ever seen. To win again at states would be the ultimate way to go out – for me and the seniors.”

Parisi’s Pythons blew the competition away, scoring 170.5 points and coming out 6.5 points in front of second-place finisher Monadnock and 12 points in front of Pembroke Academy, which finished third.

In Class L competition, defending Kiwanis and fall spirit champion Salem took home second behind reigning winter spirit champion Pinkerton Academy. The Blue Devils scored 181.0 points, 2.5 behind the Astros.

After final scores were announced, Salem learned it would have won the competition but was given a five-point safety violation when one cheerleader stepped her foot off the mat during their performance.

“I knew when I saw it happen during the routine,” said Salem coach Tracy Berube. “She was upset, but no one else was. We all make mistakes and things happen. We know we would’ve won, and we did well enough to take it and that’s enough.”

The standings allowed both Pelham and Salem to earn a spot in this year’s New England Regional competition on March 17. Berube, who helped lead the Blue Devils to the New England title last winter, said their routine and pre-competition schedule won’t differ from last season.

Cutting back on practices to give the girls some much-needed rest, the Blue Devils will begin training the week before the competition, a formula Berube said worked well in minimizing injuries last year.

Salem loses six seniors in Giana Armano, Stephanie Smith, Ari Wheaton, Chelsea Haegle, Paige Dewhirst and Karissa Hallaran.

“Every year there are teams that can come out and take it,” said Berube. “There’s no guarantee we’re going to be at the top or near it. We’re completely fine with second place because we know we looked great and really had a strong season."

Pelham News : cheerleading

One-two – Pelham wins Class I; Salem is second in Class L