PROVIDENCE — Last Saturday, they were cheering, dancing and tumbling in unison with their teammates, trying to help their squads at the Rhode Island Interscholastic Team Competition Cheerleading Championships.

But Thursday night, 55 cheerleaders each had the spotlight all to themselves as they participated in the second annual RIIL Individual State Cheer Competition at Rhode Island College.

After waiting about two hours for her turn to perform, the second-to-last competitor produced the best routine of the night, as Mount St. Charles senior Molly Silven took top honors with her score of 97.

"It was so nerve wracking," said Silven. "I was so nervous, I was shaking."

A member of Mount’s cheerleading squad as a freshman, Silven –– a level-9 gymnast –– did not cheer in her sophomore and junior years, choosing instead to focus on her other sport. She tried out again for the cheerleading team this season, however, inasmuch as she hopes to cheer for Elmira College, where she will be enrolled in the fall.

Like the other competitors, Silven had to perform a one- to two-minute self-choreographed routine before a panel of three judges.

"With my gymnastics background, I knew tumbling was my strongpoint," she said. "But I had a lot of fun making up the dance, which was the hardest part, and performing. It was tons of fun."

Three other cheerleaders who helped Mount St. Charles capture the Small Schools Division, as well as the overall state team title, last weekend at Bryant University also finished among the top 20. Senior Brittany Dickie took second for the second consecutive year, finishing one point behind Silven with a score of 96. Ashley Durand, another repeat performer, finished in a three-way tie for fourth with Portsmouth’s Victoria Trujillo, Talia Reid of La Salle and St. Raphael sophomore Christina Moseley, all with 92 points. Mount junior Kate Stanhope placed sixth with 86 points.

"It shows that they deserved winning the states," Mount co-coach Karen Dickie said of her cheerleaders’ strong showing yesterday. "They're really a bunch of good kids."

In addition to Reid, La Salle — which successfully defended its Co-ed Division title despite not retaining the overall crown — placed 6 other cheerleaders in the top 20, including junior Stephanie Russell, who finished third with 94 points. Juniors Ashley Nonemaker and Breanna James — who along with Reid were also top-20 finishers last year — also medaled for the Rams, as did freshman Alexandra Fowler, junior Taya Piccione and sophomore Ashley Lockaby.

"We are so proud of them," said Dana Guadagno, co-coach of La Salle with Kayla Solitro. "They have done an amazing job all year round, and what a way to go out. What a way to end the year."

"They worked really hard," Solitro added. "They have incredible, creative material. Every girl does their own routine, and they put it together great and did a wonderful job."

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TOP FINISHERS ––Molly Silven, Mount St. Charles, 97; Brittany Dickie, MSC, 96; Stephanie Russell, La Salle, 94; Ashley Durand, MSC, 92; Victoria Trujillo, Portsmouth, 92; Talia Reid, LS, 92; Christina Moseley, St. Raphael, 88; Alexandra Fowler, LS, 88; Kate Stanhope, MSC, 86; Taya Piccione, LS, 85; Jennifer Moseley, SRA, 84; Amanda Crawley, North Providence, 84; Brianna Archambault, West Warwick, 79; Ashley Lockaby, LS, 79; Michelle Baris, SRA, 79; Kimberly Aceto, Exeter-West Greenwich, 78; Ashley Nonemaker, LS, 78; Stef Lima, Portsmouth; Lyndsay Rezendes, Portsmouth, 77; Breanna James, LS, 77.