Sports

Cheer team looks to top '06 accomplishments

Casey
Curtis

(Back row, from left) Brittany Cavanaugh, Molly Bonfiglio, Trinette Coleman,
Coach Alanna Stockley,
Lauren Dial, Samantha Hein, Rebecca Melcher (Middle row, from left) Caitlin
McColl, Leah Holdampf, Keeona
Ives, Marsha McMunn, Kaitlyn
Landis, Elizabeth Walleman, Katelyn Eldridge
(Front row, from left) Julie Ardelan, Shaunte Waller, Kylie Trevis,
Shelby Smith, Kayle Parker. Not Pictured: Rachel
Sowers, Ashley Hansen. Photo provided.

December 12,
2007 - After winning regionals and competing
at the state finals last season, is there any way the Oxford Varsity competitive
cheer team can top it this year?

Simply put by Coach Alanna Stockley,
yes.

Returning seniors this year are Kylie Trevis,
Rachel Sowers, Katelyn Eldridge and Kayle Parker,
of which Stockley said are all strong leaders who
know how much work it takes to be a winning team.

"They are all positive and very motivated to win and to work hard every
day at practice," she said.

Trevis and Eldridge are three-year varsity members,
while Parker and Sowers are two.

The 20-girl team, which is larger than in years past, will be led by captains
Trevis, Sowers, Eldridge and senior Marsha McMunn.

Stockley said the team's goals this season are to
place in the top three at the Flint Metro League competitions, win regionals and make it to the state finals again.

"It's easy to motivate the girls about winning regionals
and going to the state finals because we've been there," she said.
"We won't be happy unless we go again."

League rival and last year's FML champ, Lapeer West, is the biggest challenge
this season.

"All the teams in our area are improving and we will have to get better
as well to compete with all the league teams," Stockley
said.

The coach is excited to showcase all of the talent she has on the team.
"We have a large roster and each girl is bringing something special to
the program," she said.

The team's biggest strength right now is tumbling, so the coach plans to
clean up their stunting for the second and third rounds of competition.

"I'm very excited to see what this year's team will bring," Stockley said.

The girls' first competition is Saturday, Dec. 15 when the girls travel to Stoney Creek for an afternoon match.