Bulldogs
conclude season at state finals

By Walt Kaechele

Senior correspondent

Wednesday, March 12, 2008
4:22 PM EDT

The
Otsego competitive cheer team, shown taking to the mats in the regional
competition, placed ninth overall in Division III state competition this
past Saturday. (Photo by Walt Kaechele)

GRAND RAPIDS—The Delta Plex was the sight of the Division III state competitive
cheer competition and regional champion and Wolverine Conference champion
Otsego had every right to be excited about their chances.

The Bulldogs got off to a great start negating some early jitters and opened
with a 207.5 first round score. Otsego coach Nicole Durr
was pleased with the way things started.

She said, “The meet, itself, ran smoothly with all teams having great
performances. Our round one was the best it’s been all season. We
started round two great, hitting all of our tucks. Our second skill was where
we had a problem.”

With thoughts of moving up in the standings on their minds, the Bulldogs set
out to have a great second round.

Tied for seventh after the first round and needing, a seemingly impossible 22
points to catch the leader Remus Chippewa Hills,
the Bulldogs took the mat. Normally the second round for the Bulldogs is in
the 210 range and a let-down by Chippewa Hills would provide the opportunity
to move up in the competition—but, the stars were not lined up for the
Bulldogs on this night. With the round’s competition completed, Otsego
was hit with a costly eight-point deduction.

“During the back walkover, one of the girls got flustered and threw a
back handspring and that cost us an eight-point deduction,” Durr said. “They were very upset, understandably,
and had a hard time letting go for round three.

“We did have one stunt come down early, but other
than that round three was good. Our confidence level was a little lower than
normal because of the issue in round two, but I was proud of the girls. They
kept up their spirits and, as always, were very supportive of the other
teams.

“Without the penalty, we would have come in eighth,
maybe better, considering round three may have been better as well. I know it
was not much consolation, but I tried to convey to the girls there are 76
other Division III teams who didn’t even make it this far.”

The ninth place finish was a little disappointing for the Bulldogs and the
numbers certainly did not reflect the character and quality the Bulldogs
displayed during the 2008 season.