Senior cheerleaders set for regional competition Tuesday

The Breton Education Centre senior high cheerleading team will participate in the regional cheerleading competition at Riverview High School on Tuesday. Photo by Jeremy Fraser - New Waterford Community Press.

Senior cheerleaders set for regional competition Tuesday

By Jeremy Fraser
April 10, 2015

The Breton Education Centre senior cheerleading team will look to qualify to defend their provincial title when they participate in the regional cheerleading competition at Riverview High School on Tuesday.

The team, who captured the school's first cheerleading provincial title last April, enters the competition after two strong performances at BEC on April 1 and Sydney Academy this past Wednesday.

Regionals are a huge deal for the team, said coach Jessica MacPherson.

"It's going to be a close competition for sure, but I have complete faith in our team."

Despite placing third at their home competition earlier this month, The team's performance had the coaches screaming, she said.

"They were the only team to perform their routine perfectly. We lost points for silly safety mistakes, but regardless of the placing we know they did amazing."

Morgan Donohue is one of six graduating cheerleaders on this year's team. She said the team has to hit its routine in order to be successful.

"We have to perform to the best of our ability."

Like Donohue, Miranda Gillis, Marissa Gillis, Jeslyn Smith, Sara Heffernan and Rebecca Penney will compete in their final high school regional competition.

It's an emotional time for the graduating cheerleaders, said Donohue.

"It could possibly be our last competition together. It's sad to think that we won't be doing it anymore."

Although many teams will be watching Breton Education Centre, Donohue believes the team has what it takes to win.

"We are defending provincial champions. This gives us an advantage over other teams."

Overall, the team has enjoyed the season, said Donohue.

"We're at our best at this point in the season, which is exactly where we wanted to peak.  I couldn't ask for a better group of people."

If the team qualifies in the top four at the competition, they will advance to this year's NSSAF cheerleading provincial championship, April 25, at Avon View High School in Windsor, N.S.