The top 20 cheerleaders were named at the inugural Rhode Island Interscholastic League Individual Competition Cheerleading Championships, held earlier tonight at Rhode Island College’s Murray Center. And at the very top of the list was North Kingstown senior captain Samantha Emrich.

Integrating a mix of cheers that she’s performed with the Skippers’ competition team and football cheerleading squads, along with a combination of dance and tumbling moves she came up with on her own, Emrich earned a total score of 101.5 out of a possible 120 points, receiving 47.5 out of a possible 55 points in cheer and jumps – the highest score of the night in that category.

Fifty-six cheerleaders representing 11 schools competed at the first-time event. Each performed a 1- to 2-minute routine that they had choreographed themselves before a panel of three judges, who were each responsible for evaluating the cheerleaders in one of three categories – dance, cheer and jumps and tumbling.

“I definitely wanted to include my tumbling skills because that’s one of my biggest strengths,’’ she said. ``And I also wanted to include a toe touch series, so I did three of those. And I wanted to include some fun, sharp dance moves.

``Now that (competition cheerleading) is interscholastic, I do feel much more pressure to set the bar and show that cheerleading actually is a competitive and athletic sport,’’ added Emrich, who was joined in the top 20 by sophomore teammate Hillary Stamps (87.5). ``So I really wanted to come out and give it my all and show what cheerleading’s about.’’

Brianna Archambault of West Warwick and Brittany Dickie of Mount St. Charles finished tied for the second-highest point total. Archambault posted the second-highest tumbling score (33), finished tied with Dickie for the second-highest score in cheer and jumps (46) and earned a 19 in dance, en route to her overall score of 98. Dickie, who helped lead Mount to the Small Division team championship on Sunday, earned the highest dance score of the night, receiving a 23 out of a possible 25 points.

Mount St. Charles, La Salle, Portsmouth and St. Raphael each had three cheerleaders placde in the top 20.

RIIL INDIVIDUAL COMPETITION CHEERLEADING CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Rhode Island College
Samantha Emrich, N. Kingstown, 101.5; Brianna Archambault, W. Warwick, 98; Brittany Dickey, Mt. St. Charles, 98; Ashley Durand, MSC, 96.5; Jenna Polselli, Port., 93.5; Elizabeth Coken, War. Vets, 93; Ashley Nonemaker, La Salle, 92.5; Michelle Baris, St. Raphael, 91; Alicia Loffredo, Port., 90.5; Nicole Scott, N. Prov., 90.5; Casey Gifford, War., 89; Breanna James, LS, 88.5; Talia Reid, LS, 88.5; Kimberly Aceto, Ex./W. Green., 88.5; Hillary Stamps, NK, 87.5; Jennifer Mosely, SRA, 86.5; Victoria Trujillo, Port., 86; Kayla Coogan, Toll Gate, 85.5; Kate Stanhope, MSC, 85.5; Kaitlyn Alger, SRA, 85.5.