Learning experience for IMHS cheerleaders

Finish seventh in
first trip to the MHSAA finals

Saturday,
March 17, 2007

By BURT ANGELI, Sports Editor

IRON MOUNTAIN —
Iron Mountain
gained an “amazing” learning experience in the Michigan High
School Athletic Association Division 4 competitive cheerleading state finals
Saturday at Grand Rapids.

“The DeltaPlex arena is huge and there were television cameras and tons
of fans in the stands cheering on their teams,” said Mountaineer coach
Jodi Brueggeman. “The top three teams were
very talented having team back tucks, aerials and back handsprings.”

Breckenrdige repeated as champion with 721 points
while Iron Mountain took seventh with 616.5.

“It is hard to compete with teams with that level of tumbling skills,
but we held up well with strong jumps and stunting skills,” Brueggeman said.

Breckenridge fielded 8-6-8 competitors on the floor for the three rounds. Iron Mountain
had the biggest numbers, placing 16-14-14 in the rounds.

“It is much more difficult to put more athletes on the floor and be as
precise and clean,” she said. “I am not sure what our position on
the number of athletes on the floor will be next year.

“But I feel with the quality of athletes this team had we needed to
showcase their talents.

The veteran coach, part of the Mountaineers’ three Michigan
Cheerleading Coaches Association state titles, expressed pride in her team.

“This team overcame many obstacles to be successful in the MHSAA
format,” Brueggeman said.

Iron Mountain, lone U.P. team to win a
state regional,. prevailed
in the new format to take the Mid-Peninsula Conference crown.

“All of these are great accomplishments for the first year switching
over from MCCA to the MHSAA,” said Brueggeman,
assisted by Erin O’Brion. “It was truly
a great day for us and I am very satisfied with our season’s successes.

“The team earned the right to be at the state finals. They gained
valuable experience and now we know what we have to do to improve for next
year.”

The coach said her Mountaineers surpassed goals.

“But more important than the successes in competition, this team did
much more than they set out to accomplish,” Brueggeman
said. “This team was a very talented team who really worked well together
to establish fabulous friendships, hard work habits, positive attitudes and
the determination to overcome the challenges of making changes.

“They also had the joy of doing something they love to do day in and
day out. Those successes will be what they take with them now that the season
is over. I am honored to have had the opportunity to coach this amazing group
of young athletes.”

She also noted the graduation of “five fantastic senior leaders”
in Katey O’Brion,
Tia Romagnoli, Kara Behrens, Ashley Fortner and Aleah Ahrendts.

“I wish them all the success they will achieve in the years to
come,” Brueggeman said.