Sports

Cheer team
places 10th at state finals

Casey
Curtis

March 14, 2007 - After a great
season of skillful jumps, stunts and becoming regional champs, the Oxford
Competitive Cheer Team wrapped up their season with a Division 2 ranking of
10th at the state finals over the weekend.

At the Delta Plex in Grand Rapids, the girls spent Friday night
watching Division 1 girls compete so they could get a feel for the complex.

"It was a different atmosphere than cheering at a small competition or
football game because there were television cameras swirling on stands on the
sides of the mat and on the ceiling," Coach Alanna
Stockley said.

At Saturday's Division 2 competition, the girls performed well during their
first round, but senior captain Caralyn Debash broke a bone in her knee during the round.

Senior Alyssa
Johnson stood in for Debash for the second round
which was perfect.

Debash decided to return for the third round of
intricate stunts, where Oxford
was able to make all of the right moves for a 10th place finish.

"I am so proud of these girls because they have worked through so
much" Stockley said.

Through sprained backs, mono, bronchitis and broken backs, the girls have
been fully dedicated to their team.

"I am so proud of them and they deserved to go to states," the
coach said.