U.P. cheerleading teams make strong regional showings

Thursday, March 08, 2007

KINGSFORD
— Kingsford Coach Jacqueline Leiker
wasn’t happy that her Flivvers finished third in the regional and
missed qualifying for the Division 3 state competitive cheerleading finals.

But she was pleased to see a strong showing by U.P. teams in their first
appearance in the Michigan High School Athletic Association after a long
association with the Michigan Cheerleading Coaches Association.

Of the regions that included U.P. teams, runner-up Gladstone and third-place Kingsford trailed
defending Division 3 state champion Remus-Chippewa Hills.

In Division 4 at East Jordan, regional champ Iron
Mountain led a U.P. onslaught
followed by Munising, Norway, Manistique and Ishpeming.

“That is a great statistic for U.P. cheerleading in general,” Leiker said.

Iron Mountain Coach Jodi Brueggeman called it
“an amazing year to compete in the U.P. with all the fantastic teams in
our area.”

“I am thankful to have had the U.P. teams to compete against,”
she said. “The U.P. teams challenged us every competition and kept
motivating us each week.”

She admires the U.P. teams for making the challenging transition to the
MHSAA.

“Each team pushed themselves to make each week more exciting,” Brueggeman said. “I am also grateful to have had
the opportunity to work with the U.P. coaches. We really came together to
help each other out in this time of change.”

The Kingsford-Gladstone rivalry continued at the regional. While the Flivvers
beat the Braves for the Great Northern Conference title, the tables were
turned at the regional.

“I am not sure how they made up 30 points in just a few days,” Leiker said. “I guess in a judged sport it is
whoever those judges just happen to like better that day.”

Remus-Chippewa Hills tallied 736.6 to beat Gladstone,
661.8; Kingsford, 649.3, and Houghton
Lake, 629.4

Gladstone’s
downstate experience — four trips this season — may have helped.

“We had a great day and have no regrets,” Leiker
said. “We had our best rounds of the year.

“This was an amazing team and they should be very proud of their
accomplishments.”

Flivvers had three all-regional selections in Kaitlyn
Bussing, Amanda Rose and Johnna Podnar.