Sports

BHS cheer 7th in state
competition

Amanda Lechel

March 12, 2008 - The Brandon High School Varsity Competitive Cheer team traveled
to Grand Rapids
to compete at the Delta Plex for the state
cheerleading competition March 8. The girls placed seventh at their first
ever state competition beating out St.
Joseph, St. Clair, and Portage Northern. Gibraltar
Carlson came in first place with a total of 777.280 points. Brandon scored 713.920 points total.

"The highlight of the day was just the
experience itself. Being at the MHSAA state finals was an amazing experience
for the girls and myself as a coach," said
Varsity Competitive Cheerleading Coach Jamie Slot.

"I believe it is a great accomplishment to
qualify for state finals after only five years of the program's existence.
The girls did an excellent job!"

The Blackhawks reached all their season's goals,
including having a team tuck for their round two in competition, winning the
league championship and making it to states. Slot says one of the team's
greatest accomplishments was beating St. Clair, the region 8 champions. St.
Clair earned a ninth place win, where the Blackhawks stole seventh.

"Our fundamentals have really advanced this
year, and our stunting skills have moved up in difficulty." Slot
continued.

Team members who collected First Team All Region
are Janessa Fahr, Emily
Murphy, Talana Pearson, and Jill Brendel. Teammates earning Second Team All Region include
Bethany Harding, Danielle Snyder, and Colleen Brendel.
Honorable Mention All Region include Brittney Lemessurier and Kallie Zardus. Earning Second Team
All State
is Janessa Fahr, and
Honorable Mention All State goes to senior Emily Murphy.