Cheer
squad breaks 700 mark, sets school record

January 17, 2008

BREAKING
RECORDS Varsity Bobcat flyer Alexis Bechill
(center) is flanked by Jaynelle Hoke (left) and Victoria Smith performing extension
liberties. Coach Celeste Kubiak said the Cats
executed Round 3 mistake-free on their way to breaking their former
competitive cheer record of 692.8. (Courtesy photo)

Houghton Lake's varsity Bobcats finally did it.
They broke the 700-point barrier in competitive cheerleading Jan. 10 at Meridian. Both
varsity and JV outscored all of their previous individual round scores.

"The
girls took charge of the mat and performed at their best," Varsity
Coach Celeste Kubiak said. "They hit every
stunt and tumbling pass with unbelievable excitement. I am so very proud of
this team and how committed they are to their sport."

The
varsity 'Cats pushed past 700 for the first time ever with a final score of
712.8, putting them in first place, over Midland Dow. They topped their
previous record of 692.8, set in 2006.

"Our
Round I performance was steady, and we finished three points ahead of
Division I Dow High," Kubiak said. "The
team has worked tremendously hard on their Round 2 tumbling skills and hit
everything clean."

WE'RE
NUMBER 1! The varsity and JV Bobcats celebrate their victories Jan. 10
at Meridian.
The varsity Cats broke the 700-point barrier for the first time, and
the JV team outscored two varsity teams. (Courtesy photo)

Kubiak said Dow had closed
the gap after Round 2 to only 1.4 points.

"We
knew our goal of 700 points was in reach, but we had to execute Round 3 with
no mistakes," Kubiak said.

At the
beginning of the season, her team had set a goal of a 700-point meet, she
said, "and now we want to finish in the top two at regionals
so we can go to state."

The JV
team also took first place, outscoring two varsity teams.

"Their
Round 3 is very difficult and they performed it very well," Kubiak said. "Every stunt was completed and the
team has added a lot of tumbling which helps to build crowd
excitement."

The
Bobcat cheer teams compete tonight (Thursday) in Roscommon and Saturday at
Farwell.