Regional trip capped special
season for Lion cheer

By Jeff Theisen

March 5, 2009

South Lyon cheer's season came to an end
last Saturday at Brighton Regional, but making it there accomplished the
biggest team goal.

"Our goal this whole year was
to get top four at districts and make it into regional," Lion head coach
Jennifer Combest said. "They ended the season With a bang and exceeding
all expectations. Everyone was surprised to see such success from such a
small an unknown team."

The Lions placed 11th at the regional,
but Combest knows it wasn't for lack of effort from her team.

"I'm proud They held there
own this Saturday," she said. "They placed 11th In the region, and
having to go after the team who won states last year (Grandville), they still
placed seventh In round 3, receiving almost perfect scores on
execution."

Grandville won the region with
799.51. East
Kentwood
was next with 793.05. The other two teams advancing to state were Holland
West Ottawa and Lake Orion. South Lyon finished with 717.04.

The Lion, like a lot of teams,
suffered through injuries and illness this year. But it was especially
difficult in their place as the team didn't start with the kind of depth most
do with around 20 girls. Injuries knocked the team down to 15 available,
while most have around 25 or more to pull from with up to 16 girls competing
on the floor at one time.

Some highlight from the season
include winning two KLAA meets, placing fifth at the Wyandotte Invite and
earning fifth at the KLAA Conference meet.

The Lions would have to save their
best for last at districts to keep their season alive.

Mission accomplished.

Trailing Novi by 17 and Walled
Lake Western by eight for the final spot heading into round three, it was now
or never for the Lions.

Combest just had a feeling her
team was going to pull it off.

"In my head, I accepted that
our season was done," Combest said. "But like I told my JV coach
Katie Martin all day, I just keep hearing them call our name. That I could
not explain it but in my heart I knew.

"I have to say it was the
greatest moment I have had in my nine years of coaching when they announced
that fourth-place spot receiving a bid to regional. The girls and parents
were overjoyed and emotional to say the least."