Country
before cheerleading for Grant’s Otte

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

The Grand Rapids Press

By Kelly Hill

Grant
senior Ashley Otte did not attend cheerleading camp
last summer.

She was absent when the Tigers' sideline squad had its photo taken prior to
the football season.

Although a co-captain on the Tigers' competitive cheer
team this winter, she might also occasionally miss a weekend meet.

But she has very good reasons for her absences.

Military duty.

Last summer, Otte missed cheer camp and her team's
photo because she was attending U.S. Army basic training at Camp Leonard Wood
in Missouri. If she misses a weekend meet this winter it would be
because she is an Army Reservist and spends one weekend per month on active
duty.

When she graduates from Grant next spring, Otte
expects to complete military police training and then go on active duty.

"I did basic training last summer and it was a good experience,'' Otte said. "The toughest
part was probably the people. You live with 60 girls all the time, all
summer, there is going to be some drama."

Otte's father, Douglas, was a Marine.

"I was looking into college choices last year and I couldn't figure out
how I was going to pay for school," she said. "My father was in the
military so my original plan was to join the Army so the Army could pay for
college."

As a co-captain of Grant's competitive cheer team, Otte
has to help bring discipline to the squad.

"My father was a Marine so I was raised in a disciplined
household," she said. "On the team I have to make sure the girls
stay on task and stay focused."

Otte's cheerleading career began in football season
two years ago. "Personally, even though I'm involved in it, I don't
think sideline cheer is a sport, but I like football," she said. "I
like competitive cheer because it is competitive and we get more
recognition."

Otte shares her team captain duties with fellow
senior Angelica Enriquez. "This season is a little different because
over half the team is freshmen, but all of them are very talented," Otte said. "In round three, I am a back spot for
stunting, so I have to make sure everyone is in the right place at the right
time."

When her high-school career ends next spring and her Military Police training
is concluded, Otte has no idea where her active
duty may take her.

Competitive cheer

·
Coaches: Kristina and Kathy Brackett, eighth year

·
Conference: Lakes 8

·
2007-08: Fifth in the eight-team Coastal Competitive Cheer Conference

·
Top returners: Seniors Ashley Otte (backspot) and Angie Enriquez (stunting position varies)

·
Newcomers: Randi Johnson and Tessa Gietzen

·
Outlook: The Tigers hope to finish in the top half of the league
standings.

·
Coach's comment: "While we have a larger team than we have had
the last couple of years, they are extremely young and inexperienced. Only
three athletes have ever been on a competitive cheer mat. It will definitely
be a learning and rebuilding season for our program.

·
Key date: Feb. 4, host conference meet