Zeeland East cheerleader Tamminga focuses on fun

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

By Cris Greer

The Grand Rapids Press

For a
third-year team that has struggled to compete, junior Rachel Tamminga has the right attitude about Zeeland East
competitive cheer.

"It's not cool to get last, but as long as we're having fun and enjoying
it, it doesn't really matter," said Tamminga,
the team's top flyer and gymnast. "If we can just get better and better
every year, I have nothing to complain about."

"We try to focus on having fun and not worry about getting first place.
What can you expect? We're a new team. Eventually, I can see in the future
where we start winning."

Last year, the Chix finished last in the O-K Green.
Tamminga said it's a difficult conference with the
likes of 2007 Division 2 state champions Holland Christian and others.

"We're in a hard division, but we've come a long way as a team,"
said Tamminga, who talked about the youth on the
squad. "Even though we do have a lot of younger people, I think in a way
it kind of helps us grow more as a team."

Coach Megan Ulery said the Chix
are starting clean this season.

"It's a very young squad with no seniors and with a first-year
coach," said Ulery, who'll lean on Tamminga as a leader. "I just want them to have fun,
work hard and have a great experience."

Tamminga began gymnastics in the first grade
through recreation programs and it grew from there.

She said her most recent highlight was completing a back tuck last year and
then implementing it in the Chix routines.

"Tumbling really is my passion and my favorite part of it," Tamminga said.

She began cheerleading at cub football games in the third grade and was a
sideline cheerleader last year, but there's no doubt where her heart lies.

"In sideline cheer, you don't get to do any gymnastics, it's completely
different," Tamminga said. "And during
football, the crowd will say to you, 'Move, we can't see the game.' "

"I like competitive cheer a lot more."

And don't tell her competitive cheer is not a sport.

"No doubt about it, it's a sport," Tamminga
said. "It's a team working together, competing, with goals. When someone
says it's not a sport, it's kind of hurtful because you work so hard at
it."

"I tell people just go to a competition and see for yourself."

She hopes to continue her love for the sport in college.

"I don't want to give it up after high school; it's a huge passion of
mine."

Zeeland East

·
Coach: Megan Ulery, first year

·
Conference: O-K Green

·
2007-08: Last in the conference

·
Top returners: Juniors Heather Lemmen,
Amanda Prewitt, Anjalie Post and Rachel Tamminga and sophomore Courtney Bunce

·
Newcomers: Freshman Danielle Hoeksema, an
outstanding tumbler

·
Outlook: It's a very young squad with no seniors and with a first-year
coach the Chix are
"starting clean."

·
Coach's comment: "I just want them to have fun, work hard and
have a great experience."

·
Key date: Jan. 10, Byron Center Invitational