By Ryan O’connor
MANCHESTER – Due in large part to injuries, the Pembroke Academy spirit
squad was forced to change its routine every day during the week leading to the
25th annual Kiwanis cheerleading competition on Saturday, Jan. 26.
Combine that with the fact there is no fall program at the school and anyone
would be hard-pressed to predict success for the Lady Spartans at the event,
which took place at Southern New Hampshire University.
But then again, what’s a competition without an “overcoming adversity” story?
Shorthanded, banged up and under-prepared, Pembroke placed third in the competition
with 133.5 points, losing only to upstart Bedford and perennial power Pelham.
“This has been the most resilient team I have ever coached,” said
Donna Ong. “What they just did out there was unreal considering the circumstances.
I’m probably the proudest coach in this building right now.”
Ong, whose squad won the Kiwanis last year, said she is having the best coaching
season of her life.
There are a dozen reasons why, she added, gesturing to the screaming pack of
green-and-white clad sparks behind her.
Included on the varsity roster are Jennifer Cheney, Alyssa L’Heureux, Melanie
Lussier, Jennifer MacKenzie, Alyssa McQueen, Lianne Mulcahy, Kristin Palmer,
Ashley Pelissier, Kayla Pouliot, Chelsea Pritchard and Ashley Schaefer. Molly
Laplume was called up from the JV squad to participate in the event.
“They have incredible confidence, team spirit, and they fully understand
how this sport works and that each and every one of them individually affect
the whole,” she said.
Still, Ong was quick to note the Kiwanis routine wasn’t perfect. But with
another month and a half before the state championship, she’s confident
her team will be ready.
“Watch out,” she said. “I think you’re going to see something
pretty amazing by the time states comes around.”
Class L
Though each unit showed flash and plenty of pizzazz, both Manchester Central
and Memorial fell short of placing in Class L.
The Little Green dropped a couple stunts early before rebounding for a solid
showing,
“We had a major injury. The last few days we’ve been reworking our
whole routine because one of our fliers is down, so we had to put in someone
who hasn’t flown in nine months,” said coach Alison Kivikowski. “The
crowd was very receptive to them, so I think we did well, all things considered.
“I’m looking forward to getting the scores so we can get back to
the gym, work on areas that we know we are deficient in and step it up a notch
when we get to states.”
Competing for Central are Samantha Boucher, Erica Burley, Cassidy Clayton, Katrina
Corallino, Stephanie Duval, Laura Gagne, Amanda Graham, Samantha Houle, Jessenia
Heurtas, Meagan Lachance, Brittani Maclean, Cassie McQuade, Kathryn Purdy, Taylor
Stone, Tiffany Sweeney, Brittany West, Jessica Wright and Elizabeth Goldthwaite.
Those representing Memorial include Chantel Acevedo, Sara Bienvenue, Nicole Bolser,
Courtney Bournival, Marta Bowen, Kendra Brown, Alaina Chakmakas, Christa Cody,
Rachael Lewis, Katelyn L’Heureaux Briana Mazalewski, Madison Neveu, Nicole
St. Hilaire, Camilla Tafe, Katelyn Trombley and Lauren Tully.