Originally
published March 13, 2008

South Lyon
cheer heading down road to respect

By Patrick Pinter

SPORTS WRITER

Submitted photo

The South Lyon cheer team gets together
for a photo after the regional competition on March 1.

Jennifer Combest is
trying to start a new era and tradition at South Lyon
High School when it
comes to cheerleading.

That new era got off
to a great start this season. Combest — in her first year as varsity
cheerleading coach — helped guide the Lions cheer team to a fourth
place finish at the regional competition March 1.

The top two teams
advanced from regionals to the state finals. Even
though the Lions didn't quite make the cut, their performance was a big
improvement over last year's ninth place finish.

"In just one year
these girls have improved by leaps and bounds," said Combest.
"These girls work hard and they so badly want to be respected and viewed
as a sport."

At the competition the
Lions posted scores of 215, 203.474 and 284.5 for a total of 702.974.
Hartland finished first with 799.812 points, Brighton
took second with 751.418 and Waterford Mott placed third with a total of
709.544. Sixteen teams competed at the regional.

Coming into the season
there were a lot of question marks for Combest. She was taking over a program
that had not had much success at the competitive level in the past.

"I decided that I
would rather do it my way and give all I have," said Combest. "I
wanted to get girls passionate about the sport and do is well as I knew they
could."

Coming from Livonia
Stevenson, Combest wanted to set the bar high for the South
Lyon program. With hardwork and
dedication she knew the Lions could be a competitive team.

Once the season got
going she was left with 19 cheerleaders on the roster. Those 19 athletes
helped Lions bring respect to the sport of cheerleading.

"I wanted to make
this year all about the team and them coming together," said Combest.
"The more they trusted each other the more they started to become a
family. The girls that stayed on made this the best season I have had."

During the season the
Lions took home four first place finishes and came within one point of taking
home a win over state ranked Novi later in
the season.

The support the team
has had throughout the season is also another reason why the Lions have made
so much improvement this year.

"It has been
amazing to work for someone who is so supportive in Larry. Once the season
started the parents and school really got behind me and the team," said
Combest. "In just one season the girls have come a long way."

Combest's excitement
and passion for the sports has trickled down to her athletes. Even though the
Lions didn't make the state finals, a group of them still went to Grand Rapids in hopes of
learning a few techniques that might get them there next year.

"The returning
girls are already looking forward to next year," said Combest.
"Before this the girls really didn't know about the state finals and
never thought about going there. I am taking a group of 10 girls there this
weekend. They are really excited about going over there and seeing what it is
all about."

Preaching teamwork and
dedication, Combest has been able to build a solid foundation for the South Lyon cheer program in just one season. With the
results from this season Combest is hoping to take the Lions to even higher
places next season.

"Of course we
want to get to states, but I just want to build a strong program and help the
girls realize if they work hard they will succeed," said Combest.
"This was a great year so these girls that are juniors have something to
live up to."