---

NORTH ATTLEBORONorth Attleboro High School cheerleaders really have something to cheer about - they have been crowned New England champions for the first time in the school's history.

The squad earned the honor last weekend while competing in the New England Regional Championship Tournament at the University of New Hampshire.

"It was very clean and very solid. They really performed well," said Patti Johnson, varsity cheerleading coach.

The routine was so clean that the North Attleboro High School cheerleaders beat their nearest competition by nine points, Johnson said. They defeated 11 other teams in six New England states to earn the honor.

The title caps off a season filled with wins for the girls. Other titles include Division 2 South Regional Champions and Hockomock Champions for the 12th straight year.

They also placed second in the state championship, coming in behind Dracut High School in that round. However, the team beat Dracut in the New England Championship by 16 points.

Johnson said the girls put in plenty of training throughout the winter, practicing for two hours, four times a week and cheering at two school basketball games each week.

"It's a huge commitment," she said.

Members of the team are Laura McLaughlin, Allyson Champagne, Katie Cotter, Ashley Sherman, Mariah Mazzucco, Alyssa King, Jess Jackson, Taylor Chretien, Heather Lambert, Lyndsey Rasicot, Ashley Marceau, Alison Connolly, Emily Tartaglia, Katie Meyer, Jennah Jacobs, Katie Johnson, Stephanie Wallace, Aly Meyer, Kiley O'Connor and Bianca Rosa.

They are coached by Johnson and Julie George.