Regional
repeat truly sweet for Huskies

Sunday,
March 02, 2008

Portage Northern's
competitive cheer finished with a total score of 713.184, Portage Northern's competitive cheer team repeated as Division 2
regional champions with a two-point victory over St. Joseph. Following neck-and-neck
competition between the two squads throughout the day, both teams advance to
the state championships next Saturday at the DeltaPlex in suburban Grand Rapids.

Both teams advance to the state
championships next Saturday at the DeltaPlex in suburban Grand Rapids

BY NICOLE WATKINS

Special to the Gazette

PORTAGE -- As they waited nervously for the final scores to be
announced Saturday, the members of Portage Northern's
competitive cheer team gathered in tight circle.

Seconds later, they heard the
words they were waiting for.

The Huskies leapt from their home
floor first cheering, then crying tears of joy at the news they had repeated
as Division 2 regional champions with a two-point victory over St. Joseph.

Both teams advance to the state
championships next Saturday at the DeltaPlex in suburban Grand Rapids.

``There's a lot of passion that
goes into this,'' P-Northern coach Heather Prentice said afterward, tears
welling in her eyes.

``The kids did an awesome job
today. ... My kids were there, they did their job,
and gave me three great rounds of cheer today. That's all I can ask for.''

Portage Northern senior Raquel
Kruse found it difficult to sum up the moment of victory.

``I guess it was euphoric ...
excitement ... I can't really describe it,'' Kruse said. ``But it's euphoria, and honestly, just pride. I'm so proud of
myself, my teammates; I'm proud of my coach for being such an amazing woman
and coach, and just proud of my team.''

The Huskies finished with a total
score of 713.184, just surpassing St.
Joseph's score of 711.530. It was neck-and-neck
between the two squads throughout the day.

The teams were tied after the
first round, while the Huskies battled back to take a one-point lead after
the second round.

``It was very close, and we were
really nervous,'' Kruse said about her team's emotions entering the final
round. ``We would have taken second place, because St. Joe's a great team,
but we were really excited to get first.''

Just missing the state-meet cut
was Gull Lake, which finished third with a
score of 695.083.

Although the Blue Devils' season
is over, Gull Lake coach Angie Brown said she was
thrilled with her team.

``I think they did amazing,''
Brown said. ``We've been really hard on them all week, and they came out and
did everything they needed to do. Our goal was to focus on us and to have the
best day we've had all year, and that's what they did.''

The fact that her cheering days
are over hadn't yet set in for an emotional Chantel
Einhardt, a Gull Lake
senior.

``It's still weird -- I feel like
I'm going to practice Monday,'' Einhardt said.
``But I'm glad we ended it the way we did. (The Blue Devils) exceeded all my
expectations since the beginning of the year, and I knew that we were going
to do good today. I think we did better than I thought.''

Other local teams competing were
Mattawan (fourth, 681.290 points), Plainwell (fifth, 676.964), Three Rivers
(sixth, 661.635), Vicksburg
(seventh, 658.526), Sturgis (13th, 552.670) and Loy Norrix (15th, 426.715).