Originally published January 23, 2008

Cheer getting into gear

Nick Buckley

The Enquirer

It's
time for fans to stand up and cheer — for competitive cheer.

The 2008
competitive cheerleading season is already underway, and it figures to be one
of the most exciting seasons yet.

A certified
Michigan High School Athletic Association varsity sport since 1994,
competitive cheer has seen rapid growth in recent years, and the area has
also seen a boom in participation.

"With
the MHSAA new rule as far as everybody competing under the MHSAA format, it's
boosted our sport," said Colon
head coach Jayne Sabaitis. "We've doubled in
size over the last two years and it's been great for the sport and these
female athletes."

Around the
area, Colon
has solidified itself as a state power, finishing sixth in Division 4 last
season. Currently, the Magi are ranked No. 4 in Div. 4.

"We know
there are some tough teams out there, but we're aiming for a top spot in the
finals," Sabaitis said.

Athens, Bronson and Homer will each compete for the
first time this season, while in the Cereal City,
Battle Creek Central, Lakeview and Pennfield all are back with teams on the
mat.

Here's a
closer look at some local competitive cheer teams:

BATTLE CREEK CENTRAL

Coach: Stefanie Miller

Roster: Sophia Brown, jr.; Ashlee Cable, jr.; Alexandria Hawkins, fr.; Brittany Morrow, sr.; Genetazia
Tatum, jr.; Shilaniqua
Taylor, so.

Notable
performances last season: Third in SMAC Central, four second place finishes at invitationals.

Coaches outlook: "We are a small team that packs
a powerful punch," coach Miller said. "Our goal is to make our six sound like 16 on the mat."

LAKEVIEW

Coach: Theresa King

Roster: Katrina Keithley, sr.; Laura Mitchell, sr.; Ceci
Escobar, sr.; Samantha Gremore, sr.; Lacy Batterson, sr.; Jessica Glomb, jr.; Brittney Baker, jr.;
Allyson Keithley, fr.;
Susie Schneider, fr.; Danielle Milikin,
fr.; Cylie O'Neill, fr.; Jessica Jones, fr.

Notable
performances last season: First at SMAC East, sixth at regionals.

Coaches outlook: "The girls are working hard this
season," coach King said.
"Many of the individual goals that the girls have set for themselves are gymnastic goals, such as back handsprings,
back tucks, running tumbling. As a team we hope to place well this season,
hoping for a top-four finish at regionals. At each
competition, our goal is to always stick round three and have fun while also
competing strong."

PENNFIELD

Coach: Michele Calloway

Roster: Ally Borgerson, sr.; Tiffany Brown, sr.; Kelsey Clissold, sr.; Alexis Green, jr.;
Ashley Heffernan, jr.; Jaime Probol,
jr.; Morgynn Putman, so.;
Kassi Smith, so.; Christian Swanson, so.; Katie
Thompson, sr.; Savannah Wesner, jr.;
Sara Wothington, sr.

Notable
performances last season: Second at Battle Creek Central Invitational.

Coaches outlook: "We are still relatively new to
competitive cheerleading, but having competed a few times last year will help
us be better prepared," coach Calloway said. "We are taking one
step at a time, trying to improve our routines each time we go out on the
floor. We are looking forward to the season and hoping to capture a trophy or
two."

AROUND THE AREA ALBION

Coach: Alycia
Williams

Roster: Barongiere
Lovelace, sr.; Shaenna McCormick, sr.; Kayla Wells,
sr.; Aundrea Lerma, sr.; Jaklyn Chapman, jr.; Nicole Claucherty, jr.; Gale Pledger, jr.; Chauntae' Ridley, jr.; Mariah
Smith, jr.; Cecelia Torres, so.; Tre' Washington,
so.; Mercedes Alford, fr.

Notable
performances last season: Second in SMAA, first at Battle Creek Central Invite,
second at Gull Lake Open

Coaches outlook: "This season we have a fairly new
team after losing seven seniors," coach Williams said. "However,
this team is extremely talented, and we're looking forward to an exciting
season."

ATHENS

Coach: Tina Rozell and Robin Waterstradt

Roster: Amber Hiatt, sr.; Keely Chambers, sr.; Erika Kellay,
sr.; Jessika Randall, sr.; Chelsea Moulds, jr.; Emily Mugridge, jr.; Elaine Burggett, so.;
Taylor Degolia, so.; Kayla Waterstradt,
so.; Taylor Martin, so.; Mackenzie Gordie, so.; Chelsey Tullis, so.

Notable
performances last season: N/A

Coaches outlook: "Our goal for this season is to
improve our skills and abilities so that we will become a more well-rounded
team," coach Rozell said. "The cheer team
is very excited to finally be able to do competitive cheer and is looking
forward to the competitive season."

BRONSON

Coach: Charissa
Bailey

Roster: Tabatha Philson, sr.; Ashley Meyer, jr.;
Breana Miller, jr.; Mindy
Ratkowski, jr.; Brittany
Smith, jr.; Lucy Cardenas, so.; Carmen Cardenas,
so.; Victoria Draper, so.; Tawny Ernsberger, so.;
Britney Martin, so.; Ariana Yoder, fr.

Notable
performances last season: N/A

Coaches outlook: "The girls are very excited to
have a team this year," coach Bailey said. "It is my first year as
a coach, so I am thrilled to have the opportunity. I think they look great.
They are all working really hard. Their dedication and determination is
amazing and it looks like we're going to have a good year."

CLIMAX-SCOTTS

Coach: Jennifer Bingaman

Roster: Sierra Furney, sr.; Megan Scully, jr.;
Casey Heimstra, so.; Caitlyn Sutherland, so.; Jordynn Peet, so.; Jammie Woods, so.

Notable
performances last season: Fifth at regionals.

Coaches outlook: "I am very excited about our
talent level this year," coach Bingaman said. "The girls have grown
tremendously in their knowledge and athleticism over the past year. We are
carrying much smaller numbers this year which can be a challenge, but I look
for the girls to rise to the occasion. These girls are very smart and
determined to succeed. We hope for a competitive race all the way to the
top."

COLON

Coach: Jayne Sabaitis

Roster: Mary Grace Decker, fr.; Alisha Leitzke, fr.; Kaitlynn Tredway, fr.; Kayla Boals, so.; Amber Kuhlmann,
so.; Alyssa Stoll, so.; Paige Thornton, so.; Rachel Green, jr.; Chante Harris, jr.; Danille Walkup, jr.; Kim Wirgau, sr.

Notable
performances last season: Regional champions and sixth at state finals.

Coaches outlook: "Our ultimate goal is to win the
state title, but we know that there are a lot of good teams looking to do the
same," coach Sabaitis said. "We just keep
pushing ourselves harder every day and are working for the win."

DELTON KELLOGG

Coach: Zoe Reynolds

Roster: Jen Arkwright, sr.;
Shelby Rouse, sr.; Danielle Elkins, sr.; Sam Vandenberg, sr.; Emma Garrison,
sr.; Alissa Ammon, sr.;
McKenzie Earl, sr.; Mandy Dye, jr.; Rachael Harris,
jr.; Katie Robinson, jr.;
Sara Osborne, so.; Chana Gherman,
so.; Cara Phelps, so.; Shalyn Vandergriff,
so.; Ryann Risner, so.;
Paige Robinson, so.

Notable
performances last season: First at Maple Valley Invite, sixth at regionals

Coaches outlook: "This season we are working
really hard and trying to improve from last season," coach Reynolds
said. "We really want to have a top-five finish at regionals."

GULL LAKE

Coach: Angie Brown

Roster: Courtnei
Ash, jr.; Allison Billmaier,
sr.; Jessica Crittenden, fr.; Chantel
Einhardt, sr.; Jessy
Fischer, jr.; Lyndsay
Gary, sr.; Alyssa Kasten, fr.;
Maggie Klein, jr.; Stephanie Marzolf,
sr.; Elizabeth Sweet, sr.; Trisha Vaughn, sr.; Melissa Woodward, jr.

Notable
performances last season: Fourth in Wolverine Conference, sixth at regionals.

Coaches outlook: "We are very excited about this
year and we hope to bring back the conference title to Gull Lake,"
coach Brown said. "This team works hard and is dedicated to being the
best."

HOMER

Coach: Lori Hollenbaugh

Roster: Kimmie
Allen, fr.; Catie Ambler,
jr.; Katelyn Butler, so.; Kelsea
Hackworth, jr.; Chelsea Hayes, sr.; Laura Pelham, jr.; Alicia Prater, jr.; Ashley
Rockwell, so.; Courtney Thurston, jr.; Lynsee VanHorn, jr.

Coaches outlook: "The team is very cohesive,
works hard to exceed the goals they set for themselves," coach Hollenbaugh. "They are looking forward to mastering
new skills and hope to place well at all competitions."

UNION CITY

Coach: Christine Hanson

Roster: Jessy
Howe, jr.; Shelby Miller, jr.;
Jaimie Moore, jr.; Kelsey
Vilamore, jr.; Delaina Holloway, jr.; Chelsey PeLong, jr.; Kylie Gruner, jr.; Sarah Spradlin, jr.; Haeley Madden, so.;
Michelle Holloway, fr.; Victoria Miller, fr.

Notable
performances last season: N/A

Coaches outlook: "This year I
have a strong team with six returning competitive cheerleaders," coach
Hanson said. "We are looking forward to a very successful season. Our
main goals are to take first place at our Big Eight Conference meet and to
qualify for the State Finals."