Bird
chosen as

Friday,
March 21, 2008

By
Jason Barczy

[email-masked]
-- 789-1250

The Napoleon
High School competitive cheer team
closed the gap between itself and Cascades Conference power Michigan Center
a little more this season with the help of senior Sara Bird.

Bird edged out Michigan Center junior Rachel Miller as the
league's top cheerleader in individual competition at the Cascades Conference
meet in February. She also helped the Pirates place second in the conference
in the team competition behind Michigan
Center, which moved on
to finish fourth at the Division 4 state final.

For her achievements,
Bird has been named the Cheerleader of the Year on the 2008 Citizen Patriot
All-Area Competitive Cheer Team.

``I don't think I've seen
a harder worker,'' Napoleon coach Debbie Baxter said. ``Sara has consistently
been good throughout the years. She has all the skills -- the jump skills,
the tumbling skills, technical arm and leg movement skills -- and she has
great presence.''

Bird gave credit to her
team but admitted it felt great to be named the Cheerleader of the Year.

``There's a lot of really
good cheerleaders in our conference and the surrounding area,'' Bird said,
``so to be named the top one is amazing.''

Bird is now preparing for
her senior year as a softball player at Napoleon. She plans to attend Central Michigan University
in the fall.