Swartz Creek cheerleaders face new challenge this season

SWARTZ
CREEK

THE
SWARTZ CREEK NEWS

Sunday,
January 07, 2007

By
Marty Draves

[email-masked]
• 810.766.6184

It's a whole new ballgame
for Swartz Creek's cheerleading team.

The Dragons will compete
under the Michigan High School Athletic Association format this year for the
first time in 2007.

Previously, the Dragons
have competed under the Michigan Cheer Coaches Association (MCCA) format
since 1979. The MHSAA took over the cheer competition from the MCAA last
August.

The Dragons have been very
successful in the past under the MCAA format. Swartz Creek placed first in
the regionals for the third straight season last
year and went on to place fifth in the state. In 2003, Swartz Creek earned a
trip to the National Cheerleading Championships in Orlando, Fla.

While it might take some
time for the Dragons to adjust to the MHSAA format, which is significantly
different, they are looking to make some noise again this year.

"Our girls are used
to winning and we have a talented team again this year," coach Leanna Case said. "We just need to get some
experience in competition with the new format."

The Dragons have
experience on their side this year with eight seniors including captain
Tiffany Wildey, who is a three-year varsity
performer.

"Tiffany was voted
Captain by the rest of the girls - they really look up to her," Case
said. "We have some great senior leadership and they will set the tone
for us this year."

Missy Miller is a
four-year varsity starter while seniors Lauren Renwick and Lindsey Stevenson
are both back for their third year.

"Missy is our
strongest tumbler and our most experienced flyer," Case said.
"Lauren and Lindsey are two of our three back spots, which is the most
important part of any stunt because they keep the flyer from hitting the
ground if the stunt should fail."

Seniors Ashley Erway and Amanda Tate also return along with first-year
seniors Krista Rubel and Katie Carmody.

Juniors Courtney
Carpenter, Megan Metcalf, and Lauren Yoon return for their second varsity
season.

The Dragons have 10
first-year varsity cheerleaders including juniors Stephanie Barron, Brittany
Clark, Laura Clark, Nicole Erickson, Jill Norris, Alicia Slater, and Nicole
Wood along with freshmen Corey Bouck, Courtney Bouck, and Kassi Joyce.

The Dragons started
practicing on Nov. 1 and have spent much of their time learning the new MHSAA
format. One of the main differences from MCCA is that there can be no music,
signs, megaphones, or poms. Also, there is a
compulsory round in the MHSAA format that includes performing five basic
skills involving flexibility, jumping, and tumbling while doing them in a
synchronous fashion.

"Our biggest
challenge so far has been learning the compulsory round and perfecting the
five basic skills," Case said. "We've seen so much improvement in
the last two months getting up to speed - we've almost got it down now."

There are three rounds in
the MHSAA format. The first round includes required formations along with two
different jumping stunts. The second round is the compulsory round and the
third round is the open 'free flow' round where the Dragons perform their own
routine.

"Our strengths are
jumping, tumbling, and stunts," Case said. "So, we should do really
well in the first and third rounds. The compulsory round is new for us, and
our girls had to start from scratch. We'll have to see how it goes."

Swartz Creek is the only
Metro League team that is unfamiliar with all the aspects of the MHSAA
format. The rest of the Metro competed under the MHSAA guidelines last year
while the Big Nine competed in the MCCA.

"In that aspect,
we're the experienced rookies," Case said.

While the format change
may put the Dragons at a disadvantage early, they still plan to contend in
the Metro.

"Our goal is to win
the conference in our first year," Case said. "Another one of our
goals is to qualify for the state finals again."

Three-time defending
champion Lapeer West appears to be the team to beat in the Metro. The Dragons
will find out right off the bat where they stand in the conference. Swartz
Creek will face all of the Metro League teams to open the season on Jan. 17
at Lapeer East in the first of two league meets. The second Metro meet will
be at Clio on Feb 7.

The Dragons will also
compete at Davison (Jan. 27) and at Grand Ledge (Feb. 17) before performing
in the Regional Tournament at Mount
Pleasant on March 3. The top two teams from each
region qualify for the state finals.