Preview:
Competitive cheer

Lansing State Journal • December 18, 2008 • From Lansing State Journal

Al Goldis/Lansing State Journal file

Rising
team: The Haslett competitive cheer team performs during the MHSAA Division
2 regional last March in DeWitt. Haslett finished second in the CAAC
Gold/White last season.

CAAC Blue/White

Coaches'
predictions

1. Lans.
Catholic, 2. Lakewood, 3. Grand Ledge, 4. Portland, 5. East Lansing, 6. Williamston

East Lansing

• Last season: Fifth in CAAC
Blue/Red

• Coach: Hayley Tate, third
season

• Team composition: Eight
total (two seniors, four sophomores, two freshmen)

• Returning starters:
Melissa Kitts (sr.), Britany Nowak (sr.).

• Outlook: The Trojans are
young, but have improved their Round 1 significantly. They are focusing on
bettering their gymnastics.

Grand Ledge

• Last season: Fourth in
CAAC Blue/Red

• Coach: Brooke Sutherland,
third season

• Team composition: 22 total
(two seniors, eight juniors, eight sophomores, four freshmen)

• Returning starters: Ali Westen (jr.), Corey Benson (jr.), Austin Kelly (jr.),
Ashley Fillingham (jr.), Marelguij Briones (jr.), Ashleigh Pier (soph.), Heather Holmes (soph.),
Haley Bannhard (soph.), Callie Atkinson (soph.).

• Outlook: The Comets should
raise their scores this winter after adding more advanced stunts and skills,
and also more cheerleaders in all of the rounds.

Lakewood

• Last season: Fifth in CAAC
Gold/White

• Coach: Kim Martin, 15th
season

• Team composition: 17 total
(four seniors, 10 juniors, three sophomores)

• Returning starters: Charlese Smith (sr.), Cheryl Spitzley
(sr.), Reanda Robinson (sr.), Whitney Holaski (jr.), Keiley Daniels (jr.), Alecia Hansbarger (jr.), Melanie Brodbeck (jr.), Taylor Porter (soph.).

• Outlook: The Vikings are
more experienced this winter and should be stronger, with a boost from having
five more cheerleaders than last season. Gymnastics and stunting are
improved, which should make for a strong Round 3. Holaski
and Daniels were all-region last season.

Lansing Catholic

• Last season: Third in CAAC
Gold/White

• Coach: Jodi Boehringer, 14th season

• Team composition: 16 total
(three seniors, 12 juniors, one sophomore)

• Returning starters: CJ
Courter (sr.), Jordan Garvie (sr.), Sarah Swiderski (sr.), Hallie St.
Marie (jr.), Jessica Hospodar
(jr.), Rachel Schumacher (jr.),
Hannah Lindman (jr.),
Mackenzie Mohr (jr.), Chelsea Bridson
(jr.), Jessica Poke (jr.).

• Outlook: The Cougars
return a veteran team that finished eighth at the Division 3 state meet last
season. Precision, stunting and voice are strengths, which should lead to
improvements in all three rounds - and contention for the program's first
league title. Hospodar earned an all-state
honorable mention last season, while St. Marie was all-region first team and Garvie was all-region second team.

Portland

• Last season: Eighth in CAAC
Gold/White

• Co-coaches: Linda Fox and
Darlene Rodriguez, third seasons

• Team composition: 21 total
(four seniors, two juniors, five sophomores, 10 freshmen)

• Returning starters: Kara Lagenberg (jr.), Paige Platte (jr.), Courtney Mounton (soph.),
Tori Blundy (soph.),
Emily Draper (soph.), Alyson McCliggott (soph.),
Hailey Taulbee (soph.)

• Outlook: The Raiders have
nearly tripled in number since last season. They should get a gymnastics contribution from senior Isa Vaatainen, an exchange student from Finland. A number of freshmen should also
contribute.

Williamston

• Last season: This is its
first as a competitive team.

• Co-coaches: Kelli Careathers and Lisa Mikasa,
second seasons

• Team composition: Nine
total (four juniors, three sophomores, two freshmen)

• Returning starters:
Bethany Stewart (jr.), Kelsey Shuck (jr.), Kate Hyne (jr.), Jessica Heyden (soph.), Chandlor Grandon (soph.),
Hillary Duvendeck (jr.),
Adele Burke (soph.).

• Outlook: The Hornets are
adjusting to the competitive cheer format and improving their stunting and
tumbling, but have a number of experiencd sideline
cheerleaders. They are strong in their motions and voices.

CAAC Red

Coaches' predictions

1. Mason, 2. St. Johns, 3. Owosso, 4. Waverly, 5. Lumen Christi

Mason

• Last season: First in CAAC
Blue/Red

• Coach: Kathy Showers, 15th
season

• Team composition: 23 total
(four seniors, 11 juniors, six sophomores, two freshmen)

• Returning starters: Ellen
Barker (soph.), Leslie Barker (sr.), Janna Buskirk
(jr.), Sydney Haag (sr.), Eliza Hatz
(jr.), Alex Hyde (sr.), Lindsey Kinney (jr.), Olivia Kinney (jr.),
Katie Moore (jr.), Jessica Pasch (sr.), Katie Pier
(jr.) Emily Reader (soph.), Mindy Robedeau (jr.), Kendra Sabbadin (jr.), Taylor Thie (soph.).

• Outlook: Haag is in her
fourth year on varsity, and seven more are in their third seasons for one of
the area's biggest and most veteran teams. Mason is ranked in Division 2
heading into this season and hopes to make the state meet after finishing
third - one spot shy of qualifying - at last season's regional.

Owosso

• Last season: Third in CAAC
Blue/Red

• Coach: Trudy Rau, fourth
season

• Team composition: 22 total
(11 seniors, four juniors, six sophomores, one freshman)

• Returning starters: Maranda Freeman (jr.), Alexis
Hazel (sr.), Maegen Prieur
(sr.) Haley Salander (jr.),
Laine Zimmerman (jr.), Carys McAvoy (sr.).

• Outlook: Freeman and Salander participate in all three rounds for a team
looking to improve each of its round scores 10-20 points from last season's
regional.

St. Johns

• Last season: Second in
CAAC Blue/Red

• Coach: Jen Brewer, 11th
season

• Team composition: 21 total
(10 seniors, eight juniors, three sophomores)

• Returning starters: Rosie
Gould (sr.), Jessica Lewis (sr.), Kaci Wiers (jr.), Marites Woodbury (sr.), Kayla Rigdon
(jr.), Tessa Marlatt
(sr.), Mitzi Nelson (sr.), Meghan West (jr.), Kelsie VanBeelen (soph.),
Danielle McCune (jr.), Holly Lousma
(sr.), Kay Moody (jr.).

• Outlook: The Redwings have
their largest team in a decade with many of the returnees participating in
all three rounds last season. St. Johns has improved its jumps after
being weak in that area last winter.

Waverly

• Last season: Sixth in CAAC
Blue/Red

• Coach: Patti Glenn, third
season

• Team composition: 16 total
(two seniors, three juniors, six sophomores, five freshmen)

• Returning starters: Aryian Freeman (sr.), Tiffani Clementin
(sr.), Ashley Allen (soph).,
Aubreana Garcia (soph.), Paige Lemon (soph.),
Brittany Richards (soph).

• Outlook: The Warriors have
improved on their stunting, but must continue to do so with their tumbling.
Garcia was all-league last season as a freshman.

CAAC Gold

Coaches' predictions

1. Haslett, 2. DeWitt, 3.
Fowlerville, 4. Charlotte, 5. Eaton Rapids

Charlotte

• Last season: Sixth in CAAC
Gold/White

• Coach: Yvonne Ridge, fifth season

• Team composition: 13 total
(one senior, three juniors, seven sophomores, two freshmen)

• Returning starters: Jenae Ridge (sr.), Megan Schultz (jr.),
Emily Hall (jr.), Hailee
Ridge (soph.).

• Outlook: All four
returnees have strong gymnastics skills and Ridge provides plenty of
leadership. The team is only half the size of last season's, but has a large
sophomore class.

DeWitt

• Last season: First in CAAC
Gold/White

• Coach: Candace Heskitt, first season

• Team composition: 21 total
(13 seniors, six juniors, two freshmen)

• Returning starters: Ally
Chase (sr.), Calley Rivard
(sr.), Andrea Martin (sr.), Annie Coon (sr.), Stephanie Wickham (sr.), Amanda
Deak (sr.), Casey Spedoske
(sr.), Sydney Watkins (sr.), Randi Smith (sr.), Kailee
Graham (jr.).

• Outlook: The Panthers
return a lot of experience after finishing third at the Division 2 state meet
last winter. DeWitt should again contend.

Eaton Rapids

• Last season: Seventh in CAAC
Gold/White

• Coach: Brenda Marczynski, first season

• Team composition: 20 total
(one senior, seven juniors, nine sophomores, three freshmen)

• Returning starters: Kelsey
Marczynski (soph.), Rachelle Parmelee
(jr.), Trysta Reichstetter (jr.), Alisa Bennett
(soph.), Audrey Walker (soph.), Sam Morrison (soph.), Rebecca Ford (soph.),
Taylor Cupp (soph.), Mercadez
Gibson (jr.), Shelby Cook (jr.).

• Outlook: There is only one
senior, but plenty of experience. Brenda Marczynski
coached some of her cheerleaders in third, fourth and fifth grades. The
Greyhounds have more gymnastics skills than in the past, and plenty of
potential to move up not only this season, but over the next three.

Fowlerville

• Last season: Fourth in
CAAC Gold/White

• Coach: Cindy Champagne,
eighth season

• Team composition: 16 (four
seniors, two juniors, seven sophomores, three freshmen)

• Returning starters: Kaleigh Reed (sr.), Brittany Bolling
(sr.), Kim Ross (jr.), Amber Usury (soph.), Ashley
Duff (soph.), Jade Lorang (soph.), Annmarie Gorecki
(sr.).

• Outlook: The Gladiators
could push into the league's upper half with a great skills
set. They are working to blend multiple new cheerleaders with the veterans.

Haslett

• Last season: Second in
CAAC Gold/White

• Coach: Diane Littleton,
17th season

• Team composition: 18 total
(seven seniors, five juniors, six sophomores)

• Returning starters: Kaci Jones (sr.), Whitney Howd
(sr.), Abbey Brown (sr.), Alexa Brewer (soph.),
Hayley Kosloski (soph.), Katie Lewis (soph.),
Kelsey Kindy (sr.), Ali Kuchnicki
(sr.), Kyla Spitzley (sr.), Sam Solomon (jr.), Rochelle Holiday (jr.), Allie Eisele (jr.).

• Outlook: The Vikings have
moved from last in the league to second last season over their three years
competing in the sport. They should contend this season again with an
experienced squad that has improved its jumps and tumbling. Jones has been in
all three rounds since sophomore year, and the three returning sophomores
were in all three rounds last season.

SMAA

Coaches' predictions

1. Columbia Central, 2. Albion, 3. Leslie, 4. Stockbridge, 5. Parma Western

Leslie

• Last season: Fourth

• Coach: Jean Maiville, 14th season

• Team composition: 10 total
(three seniors, two juniors, five sophomores)

• Returning starters: Jenna
Waite (sr.), Danielle Winslow (sr.), Kelsie Cox
(sr.), Kelsey Blake (jr.), Rachele
Hayes (jr.), Meaghan Farley (soph.).

• Outlook: Dedication and
enthusiasm are strengths of a squad with two more returnees than last
season's team.

Stockbridge

• Last season: Third

• Coach: Becky Humrich, fourth season

• Team composition: Seven
total (three seniors, two sophomores, two freshmen)

• Returning starters:
Marilyn Delorey (sr.), Kaci
Schoenberg (sr.), Becca Spada
(sr.), Michelle Barr (soph.), Jacquie Fillmore (soph.).

• Outlook: The Panthers are
only half in number of last year's 15-member squad. But the three seniors are
all in their fourth seasons on varsity.

TVC

No full predictions submitted.

Ithaca

• Last season: Sixth

• Coach: Jill Davenport,
fifth season

• Team composition: Seven
total (six sophomores, one freshman)

• Returning starters:
Brittany Bentley (soph.), Ashley Carman (soph.), Misty Godley (soph.),
Janelle Longanbach (soph.), Ashley Packer (soph.),
Mary Seals (soph.).

• Outlook: The Yellowjackets have an experienced group of sophomores,
including four who earned all-region recognition last season. Tumbling is a strength, but stunting must improve. Bentley was
all-region first team and second-team all-TVC last winter.

Ovid-Elsie

• Last season: Second

• Coach: Sarah Stewart,
third season

• Team composition: 15 total
(five seniors, six juniors, two sophomores, two freshmen)

• Returning starters: Jessie
Reha (sr.), Devan Greenhoe (sr.), Jamie Pontack
(sr.), Morgan Chapko (sr.), Jordyn
Betz (sr.), McKayla Miller
(jr.).

• Outlook: The Marauders
finished seventh at the Division 3 state meet last season and should contend
for the league title. They are getting a late start after cheering sideline
during a long football playoff run, but have five captains. Reha, Chapko and Betz cheer in
all three rounds, and Reha is a four-year varsity
member. The team already won its invitational to start this winter.

Others

Bath

• Last season: Independent

• Coach: Jenna Halloran,
first season

• Team composition: Eight
total (one senior, two juniors, two sophomores, three freshmen)

• Returning starters: Paige
Allen (sr.), Grace Perry (jr.).

• Outlook: A number of the
Bees are competing for the first time. But Halloran is optimistic about their
potential improvement.

Maple Valley

• Last season: Independent

• Coach: April Wagner,
second season

• Team composition: Nine
total (one senior, one junior, three sophomores, four freshmen)

• Returning starters: Shelby
Christopher (jr.), Stephanie Schaffer (soph.),
Lindsey Hoffman (soph).

• Outlook: The Lions are
among founding members of the first-year Southern Michigan Competitive Cheer
Conference. Schaffer was all-Barry County last season and Christopher and
Hoffman also have strong skills, but the team remains young.

Pewamo-Westphalia

• Last season: Independent

• Coach: Staci Myers, second
season

• Team composition: 10 total
(three juniors, five sophomores, two freshman)

• Returning starters: Amber Spitzley (jr.), Alexandra Risher (jr.), Stephany Keilen (jr.), Lesley Schneider (soph.), Olivia Droste (soph.).

• Outlook: The Pirates are
younger and have fewer competitors than usual. But they are also the reigning
Division 4 state champions and ranked No. 1 so far this season.