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Last updated November 2, 2007

Last updated October 3, 2007

Last updated October 3, 2007

Last updated October 3, 2007

Last updated October 13, 2007

Andover High School's varsity cheerleaders say they've come a long way in the past few years.

And now, armed with new uniforms, cheer signs and loads of talent and dedication, they hope to show the rest of the Merrimack Valley that they're not just short skirts and pom poms.

Success is no stranger to the Gloucester cheerleading squad. The 19 member co-ed squad is looking to build on the success from last school year, when the team won the state championship in the winter and fall seasons to go along with two Northeastern Conference titles. They also finished in second place at the National Championship.

Pelham's cheerleading team thinks it has a shot at another state title this year. The young squad is dominated by sophomores and juniors; and although the girls may be short on experience, they come up big in the talent department, their coach says.

The Blue Devils cheerleading squad is hoping for a third win at the New England championship competition this year, but they'll have to overcome their arch-rivals at Pinkerton Academy to do it.

Under the coaching of Colleen O'Shea, who has led the Salem squad since 1991, the Blue Devils were first place finishers in the New England competition in 2006 and 2007.

The North Andover cheerleaders have hundreds of cheers to choose from at every football game. They aren’t just out there yelling, though. The squads also perform tumbling, stunts and pom pom dance routines.