Cheer dynasty

By Brian
Calloway

Jan 30, 2009

By Submitted photo

The Hudson High School competitive cheerleading
team performs during a meet earlier this month. The Tigers are the
top-ranked team in Division 4 and will try for a 10th straight LCAA title
next month.

HUDSON, Mich. -

For
the longest time, Hudson High School senior Sammy Flores wanted no part of
cheerleading.

Even though her older sisters Ashley and Shana competed in the sport and she
was a regular in attendance at their meets, other activities seemed more
appealing. She also had a common misconception and thought cheerleading was
easy.

“I was a hardcore basketball player and used to wear a shirt that said
‘Cheerleading equals death,’” said Flores, recalling her
feelings as a seventh grader.

Those thoughts about cheerleading changed after attending a practice with her
older sister. Since then, the shirt has been burned and Flores has fallen in
love with the sport.

Flores is one of two returning All-State performers for the Division 4
top-ranked Hudson competitive cheerleading team. The Tigers, who have broken
three school records this season, have been atop the Division 4 rankings the
last three weeks.

Hudson is coming off a strong performance over the weekend where it placed
first in the Division 4 portion of the Mason Invitational, finishing ahead of
reigning state champion Pewamo-Westphalia and rival Michigan Center. The
Tigers were edged by Michigan Center for the regional title last February.

“It was probably one of the best days of my life,” said Hudson
senior Nicole Smith, who was also an All-State selection last season.
“We didn't know any scores during the meet so we had no clue. It was
really awesome to beat two of our biggest rivals.”

The young Hudson squad will look to continue their success as they progress
through the season.

The Tigers have just three seniors (Molly Johnston, Flores and Smith), five
juniors (Ashley Chalker, Brandi Grames, Mariah Kelley, Jennifer Adams and
Meaghan Price), eight sophomores (Erin Powell, Wendy Cox, Zoe Middleton,
Jessica Novelo, Katie Butts, Katie Felix and Traylynne Bentley) and a pair of
freshmen (Elizabeth Johnston and Ashley Schneider).

Together the group is united toward extending the Tigers' cheer dominance and
capturing the first Michigan High School Athletic Association title by a
Hudson team.

“We've had four meets and we're moving steadily up each meet,"
said Hudson coach Kelly Bailey, who has coached the team since 1997.
"I’m hoping we’re not peaking already. We;ve broke three out
of our four school records.  We have real good team unity and everything
is just really working out. There is a different kind of mood and everyone is
just real focused on what we’re trying to do.

“They’re incredibly motivated. There never has been a MHSAA state
title at Hudson in any sport. There is much talk about it because the
wrestlers and us have been close every year.”

Hudson has finished among the top three at the Division 4 or Class C-D state
finals each year since 2001. Last season the Tigers placed second behind
Pewamo-Westphalia. In 2006 they were second behind Breckenridge.

While Hudson is motivated for a better ending this season, it would first
like to continue its LCAA dominance. The Tigers can claim their 10th
consecutive LCAA title when they host the league championship meet on Feb.
12. Hudson can also reclaim a regional title when it hosts the Division 4
meet on Feb. 21.

If the Tigers advance past regionals, they will make their 10th appearance to
the state finals. Bailey believes her team will need to stay injury-free and
motivated to accomplish its goal of bringing a state championship to Hudson.

“We have way more practices than competitions so we really need to stay
focused and motivated and not get over confident,” Bailey said.

Flores and Smith couldn't envision a better way to end their prep
cheerleading career than a state title.

“More than anything that (winning the state title) is one of my biggest
dreams,” Smith said. “Just the feeling we had on Saturday, we
know that feeling will be even greater if we can take it all.”

Added Flores: “To me it means so much and I love this sport and
literally breathe it. We’ve been working so hard and to see it finally
here, I’m ready to take it all before I graduate.”

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