They’ve got spirit, yes they do, and they’ve got spirit for Plymouth State. In February 2006, then President Donald P. Wharton announced the cheerleading squad was an official varsity program. The Panthers will perform at all home games for the men’s and woman’s basketball teams this season, beginning this weekend at Foley Gymnasium when both teams compete in the Cobblestone Inn Tip-Off Tournament.
The Panther cheerleaders will take part in several competitions and cheerleading tournaments in February and March. Some tournaments include: the New Hampshire State Competition in Durham in February, the New England Open Championships in Connecticut in March and the American Cheerleading Association’s College Nationals in Myrtle Beach in mid-March.
“I am hoping the team will do well in their competition,” said coach Carrie Kiley, who is in her seventh year as the Panthers’ head coach. “They’ll be going to nationals for the first time. This group really wants to work; they really want to exceed their limits. They all have individual goals.”
For several years, the PSU cheerleaders have represented Plymouth at all men’s and women’s basketball games, and only several years ago did the team finally become an official member of the athletic program. The Panthers were finally introduced as a varsity program in February 2006.
Seniors Haley Lebuff and Debbie Richardson will both co-captain the Panthers this season.
When asked about the team thus far this season, Lebuff responded, “Since becoming a varsity sport, there has been a better turnout at tryouts.”
Other veterans this season include senior Caitlin MacInnis, juniors Megan Brideau and Andrea McQuinn, and sophomores Erika Gibb, Steph Koyianis, Andrea Schiavo and Ashley Smith.
The Panthers welcome a long list of newcomers this season, which include sophomore Erica Barnhart, and first years Alisha Buyck, Jess Chaves, Ashley Hutchinson, Shea Jarosz, Brittany Kowalewski, Sarah Lamirande, McKenzie Letzring, Katrina Levesque, Jenn Plate, Ryan Shannon, Erin Vogt, and Stefanie Webb.
“I think we are extremely enthusiastic,” said Richardson. “We are really progressing.”
Cheer on the Panthers this season when they cheer on the men’s and women’s basketball games this season.