Competitive cheer team faces tough region

Thursday,
January 06, 2005By Jeff Chaney

The Grand Rapids Press

ROCKFORD -- The Rockford competitive cheer team has had the
bad luck of being in some of the toughest regionals
in the state over the past few years.

Last year the Rams
competed in the Division 1 regional that included Grandville and East Kentwood. Those two teams went on to take first
and second, respectively, at the state finals.

"It has been tough,
but hopefully we can break through and get to state this year," said
senior Ashley DeVries.

"I think this team
is good enough to make it to state. We are starting this year with tougher
routines, and that should help down the line. The tougher routines get more
points."

Rockford coach Kathy Resseguie
also would like to see her team get back to the state finals.

The Rams haven't been
there since the 2001 season.

But she also doesn't mind
that Rockford has to go up against some of the
best teams in the state every year right here in West
Michigan.

"It makes it a
little tough when you have to go up against Grandville and East
Kentwood every year, but it pushes the girls to make them
better," Resseguie said. "We have a new
region this year. There are 40 new schools in competitive cheer, and the regionals are constantly changing and this year we are at
Kenowa Hills. We still have Grandville at our regional, but East
Kentwood is at a different regional."

Still, the Rams need to
keep getting stronger as the year goes on according to Resseguie.

A lot of work to do

"The girls have a
lot of potential, but they have a lot of work to do and cleaning up our
routines before we are where we want to be," Resseguie
said. "We are starting off with a lot harder skills this year. Whether
we can perform them clean remains to be seen."

Resseguie says the main core of the team is
built around seniors DeVries, Sara Lueders, Anne Rothenthaler and
Autumn Parmeter.

DeVries and Parmeter
are three-year varsity starters for the Rams.

"I'm hoping that the
girls qualify for state," Resseguie said.
"The last time we went was 2001, and it would be nice to get back. They
have a shot at it, but we are still in a tough regional."

The Rams have competed
only once so far this season, and took fourth in the winner's pool at the
Competitive Cheer Coaches Association of Michigan early in December.

Rockford is next in action Monday at the
O-K Red pre-conference meet at Mona
Shores High
School.

© 2005 Grand Rapids Press.
Used with permission

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