STATE  CHAMPS

Senior Captain Kristin Wheeler said her teammates on the basketball cheerleading team motivate each other and focus.

Sunday afternoon when the 15 Swampscott High girls took the floor at Lowell High, they were motivated, focused — and flawless.

Together, the front spots, the back spots, the bases and the flyers scored 173 points, nine points better than the tally by their nearest competitor, East Bridgewater.

Their stunts, jumps and the overall difficulty of their routine elevated them to among the 11 Div. 3 teams that had qualified for the states.

But Sunday they separated themselves from the other 10 teams, fueled by motivation.

The Blue cheerleaders motivate each other before, during and after performances.

They talk and think about cheering even when they are not practicing or competing or performing, said Kristin, one of four captains.

Plus, they are an experienced group of tumblers, jumpers and dancers.

Many of these girls were members of the 2010 state championship team, and cheered during football season.

Some of them have been cheering since they were 10 years old or younger.

Junior Elizabeth Kirby said the team's coaches, Jenni Doucette, Britt Pickett and Alyssa Gendron, worked the team hard and packed their routine with a high degree of difficulty.

Both the hard work and the challenging routine paid off.

When they cheered the cheer written by Captains Kristin Wheeler, Kelsie Mayo, Colleen Meagher and Courtney LeBlanc, they meant it.

It reads, in part:

"This is the team you've been waiting to see

1-2-3 all eyes on me

S-H-S that's who we are

Proud and confident the best by far."

The Big Blue team was the best by far at the regional competition a week ago in Andover.

They scored higher than any other Division 3 cheerleading team in the state at the competition.

They did the same Sunday.

Parents Joanne Wheeler and Diane Kirby were among the Swampscott parents and friends losing their voices cheering on the cheerleaders Sunday.

Diane said one difference between this state title team and the one two years ago was the 2010 team had more veterans.

This time the younger girls had to step up. And they did.

Younger kids can get nervous but these cheerleaders were extremely motivated.

"They really wanted it," she said.

Joanne said the Big Blue girls even registered a few perfect scores for enthusiasm and energy.

In the end, when they were announced as champs, the team cried for joy.

They remained excited Sunday night.

Now they will prepare for the nationals in Florida, the first week in April.

The team has less than a month prepare and raise funds for the trip.

They'll also continue to motivate and focus.

The Swampscott High School Basketball Cheerleading team came in first place at the regional competition on Sunday in Andover.

The girls scored higher than any other Division 3 cheerleading team in the state at the competition.

Next, they will take their routine to the states on Sunday at Lowell High School at 2 pm.

The girls have been working hard all season on their stunts, jumps, tumbling and pyramid-making skills.

That work has continued this week as they prepare for Sunday's competition.

The team enjoys strong senior leadership.

Seniors Kelsie Mayo (Capt), Kristin Wheeler (Capt), Colleen Meagher (Capt) and Courtney LeBlanc have been on the team for the past four years and want to lead their team to first place in states.