Fifth-ranked Dragons cheer to top of Oxford charts

Originally published January 21, 2007

BY DAN STICKRADT

STAFF WRITER

Experience can go a
long way in the arena of high school sports. It's been a driving factor
behind Lake Orion's competitive cheer team's
success so far this season.

The Dragons have climbed to No. 5
in the current MCCA Division 1 coaches poll -- their
highest in several seasons -- following a fast start.

Lake Orion has captured two invitational crowns
and finished in the runner-up spot once this season and coach Nancy DeAvila
is quick to point out the reasons why.

"It's
really is our experience," she said. "We have a lot of girls who
have been on varsity for two, three even four seasons. That experience helps
out. They know what to expect and what needs to be done to have
success."

Lake Orion,
which upset defending state champion Rochester
at the CCAM Invitational in mid-December and finished second to the Falcons
at last week's OAA Division I jamboree, returned to the tops of the charts by
winning the Oxford Invitational last Saturday.

Those
performances have helped the Dragons catch fire and skyrocket to the top half
of the polls.

"Last
year we made it to the state finals and we have a lot of girls back,"
said DeAvila. "It kind of reminds me of our team back in 2003 that had
17 seniors. We have 13 seniors right now and they have a lot of experience with
them. That's why we have high expectations.

"In the
past we've had the talent but we didn't have the confidence," said
DeAvila. "Now I think we have a very confident team that goes out on the
mat and it shows."

Lake Orion
put together scores of 187.5, 190.7 and 302 for a 700.2 total at the Oxford
Invite, well ahead of Allen Park's
669.7 runner-up team score. Lapeer West finished third with 632.7 and Oxford fourth with
606.0 points in the nine-school field.

"This is
the highest we've been ranked in years," added DeAvila. "I know we
have a lot of work to do, but this team has confidence in what they are
capable of doing (at competitions). At Oxford,
they felt they were the best team there and went out and proved it. They are
strong stunters and they compete with
confidence."

As for Oxford, the Wildcats
were second Wednesday at the first Flint Metro League jamboree with 599.4
points, 20 behind meet champion Lapeer West. Oxford had a 14-point penalty, which
dropped them just below the 600-barrier.

Oxford also finished second
to Lapeer West at the Lapeer East Classic back on Jan. 7, scoring 624.1 points.