Cheering

When every smile, every pointed toe, and every shaky stunt counts, only a truly capable, determined cheering team takes home the 2014 Maine State Champion title. This year, it was the Biddeford Tigers.

All the cheerleaders’ hard work paid off as they received a police escort to Victory Plaza to ring the bell and celebrate. Sophomore Peyton Janelle said that it feels amazing to have this state title and that the team is definitely deserving of the accomplishment.

“I realize how rewarding it is to have this state title,” said Janelle. “We’ve worked so hard and really united as a team.”

After cheering at BHS for four years, senior Alex Boudreau says it was “a great feeling to finally get a state title” knowing how close the team was in previous years.

To be a state champion, the team knows you must stand out above the rest. Therefore, Boudreau says their team’s greatest assets are their upbeat energy, chemistry, and ability to stay positive.

“Our team is different because we’re closer and we encourage each other to keep going,” said Boudreau. “Also, we are a team with a lot of energy that doesn’t die out in our routine which helps us a lot.”

Janelle also says that aside from their talent, their pride and determination sets them apart from the other teams.

“We set our goals and do everything it takes to reach them,” said Janelle. “On top of that, we are proud to be Biddeford Tigers and do the best we can to represent our school.”

Now, the team is ready to advance and take on the challenge of New Englands.

“It’s time to take the next step and prove to others that we belong on top!” Janelle said.

Especially now with this victory under their belts, their competitors will watch out for them. Not only because of their talent, but because the heart and drive they perform with is undeniable.

“We bleed black and orange and the other teams know that we wouldn’t trade it for the world,” Janelle said.

James Ociti – Indoor Track

With the pressure of winning weighing you down, the fear must get pushed aside to accomplish your goal. Though the competitors of senior James Ociti set their goals to beat him, Ociti still took the title home.

“There’s that pressure of being the best and everyone wants you to win,” said Ociti. “But you know that it is not going to be easy.”

By embracing the extremes of both staying calm yet being confident in himself, Ociti was named the state champion in both the 55 meter dash and 400 meter.

Because winning is not a given, it took dedication and determination to be named state champion.

“It took a lot of lifting, mile runs, and a lot of eating the right foods,” Ociti said. On top of that, he spent nights doing push ups and crunches. But most of all, Ociti said it “took a lot of guts.”

With so many things running through his mind during races and training, Ociti says it is a“great feeling inside when you accomplish something that hard.”

Between breaking records and the ultimate honor of representing his team with a championship title, he proved to himself that his effort paid off and is ready for any upcoming challenges.

“Winning made me realize if you want something, you have to go get it.”

Dominick Day – Wrestling

Finally, after two years of coming up short, he reached the top. Junior Dominick Day brought home the state title in his 138-pound weight class.

As in previous years, Day pushed himself as hard as he could in order to gain this title.

“It took a lot of time and motivation to win,” Day said.

After wrestling for years, he says he has watched himself grow in size, confidence, and skill.

“I’ve seen myself improve a lot over the years of wrestling,” said Day. “I’ve improved in every aspect of the sport.”

Along with his own talent and determination, his team was there to support him. Though it is usually considered an individual sport, Day says his teammates are just as important to each other as in any other sport.

“Even though it looks more individual, we are more of a team than any other sport,” said Day. “It means a lot to everyone to see one of their own up there on the podium.”

So, to Day, having them there with him was important.

Day later advanced to the New England meet and placed sixth as a junior, only losing by “two or three points.” Next year, he expects to be a major threat in this competition.

“I feel that the next step is to make a run for New England champ.”