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SANFORD — Shelly Warren was already wiping away tears of joy before the PA announcer called her team’s name.

After back-to-back second-place finishes at the Class A South regional in 2024 and 2025, Bonny Eagle rose to the top Saturday at Sanford High with a performance that was everything the Scots’ coach wanted it to be.

“As soon as our first stunts hit, we knew we were kind of in the clear,” Warren said. “Then once our pyramid went up solid, we just knew that it was a clean routine, and we were definitely in contention for winning today.”

Bonny Eagle scored 79.2 points to beat defending champion Scarborough/Falmouth (73.9). They were followed by Thornton Academy (72.95), SMAA champion Gorham/Cheverus (72.6) and Sanford (56.9).

The SMAA championships were held virtually because of weather and scheduling concerns, so the Scots did not receive feedback from judges until Thursday.

Senior captain Madison Ouellette called the two-day time crunch to make corrections “a challenge,” but added that’s what drove the tightly-bonded team to work even harder.

“We’re very proud of ourselves,” Ouellette said. “We’ve definitely put in the work, not only this year, but in many years past. Feels really good to finally end up with the win that we deserve.”

Oxford Hills was near the end of the Class A North schedule on Saturday, but its performance was the best of the morning. The Vikings scored 89.6 points to win their first regional title since 2023.

Despite earning the highest score (83.5 points) at the Central Maine Cheering Classic on Jan. 17, the KVAC A champions knew improvement was possible.

“These girls worked so hard the last two weeks just doing little things,” Oxford Hills coach Jessie Brooks said. “Cleaning, cleaning, cleaning. We added a couple little things here and there, but mostly we wanted to just go up another three or four or five points. We knew we could do that just by cleaning up and polishing everything in between — transitions, jumps, definitely tumbling passes. They decided they were going to do it, and they did.”

Bangor (83.70) placed second, two-time defending champion Lewiston (80.30) was third, and Hampden Academy (74.8) and Skowhegan (66.5) rounded out the top five.

“We knew that everyone was going to try and beat us, so we knew we had to (improve) and be better than we were a few weeks ago,” said Oxford Hills junior captain Hollie Denning. “And I think we did just that, and we’re all very confident now.”

Lisbon/Hebron (84.6 points) won its fifth straight Class C South title by more than 20 points. Second through fifth place — Bucksport (63.8), Winslow (63.1), Orono (61.5) and Monmouth Academy (61.1) — were separated by only 2.7 points.

“We have a large senior group this year, so that definitely plays a factor with the push and the drive that they’re giving the underclassmen. That part is huge,” Lisbon/Hebron coach Nicole Adams said. “The seniors this year, their last time in this gym .. was their freshman year. This has all been bittersweet for them, a full-circle moment.”

Adams said not much was changed from Lisbon’s MVC championship-winning routine, but the team’s confidence in its performance was stronger.

“Hit clean and show off and smile and have fun,” senior Reese Kulow said. “Our biggest part is to have fun.”

Senior Ella Morales added: “And making sure we have no regrets, and leaving everything on the mat.”

Houlton/Greater Houlton Christian won its third straight C North title with 69.55 points, beating Mattanawcook Academy (67.6), Central (54.4), Dexter (50.8) and Penobscot Valley (42.9).

Gardiner/Hall-Dale coach Sidney Bartunek said her team had a goal of placing in the top three in Class B South. The third-year coach was more than surprised when the Tigers scored 68.05 points, enough to win the regional title.

“It means a lot,” she said. “We’ve worked incredibly hard rebuilding our program, and working to get to this point. The kids have put in long practices. We’ve battled injuries, changing as many things as possible to continue to build up our scores. We’re just really proud. Really, really proud. This was huge for us.”

Gardiner/Hall-Dale was the runner-up at the conference championship two weeks ago and the third-place finisher at regionals last year.

WMC champion Poland (62.9) finished second, and KVAC B champ Medomak Valley (62.75) was third, followed by Oceanside (56.3) and Leavitt (51.3).

Ellsworth earned the highest score of the day, 89.7, while winning its fourth straight B North title. The Eagles had to restart their routine after a judge stopped their first attempt because the non-performing cheerleaders were too close to the mat. Hermon (82.9), Lawrence (67.65), Waterville/Messalonskee (62.8) and Presque Isle (62.05) rounded out the top five.

The top eight teams from each region advance to the state championships next Saturday at the Augusta Civic Center.

Brewer, Mt. Blue, Deering, Noble, South Portland and Massabesic were among the Class A qualifiers. Dirigo, MCI, Oak Hill, Lee Academy, Central Aroostook and Narraguagus qualified in Class C along with the top five teams. Mountain Valley, Erskine Academy, Spruce Mountain, Belfast, Caribou and Mount Desert Island advanced in Class C.