GR Central goes competitive by launching cheer team

Thursday,
January 20, 2005By Dean Holzwarth

The Grand Rapids Press

GRAND RAPIDS -- When Grand Rapids Central
competitive cheer coach Teresa Sanders approached her team about making the
jump from the sidelines to competition this season, she wondered what their
reaction would be.

As it turns out, the
girls were more than willing to accept a new challenge.

"Our athletic
director actually brought it to my attention that we could go competitive
this season and he said that a lot of teams were going in that direction,"
Sanders said.

"I talked with the
girls and they were excited about doing it."

The Rams have indeed
switched to the competitive arena, and like most first-year programs, they're
finding that it's a difficult transition.

"At the beginning it
was awkward and very stressful because we have a lot of beginners, but
everything is starting to work out," Rams senior co-captain Tiffany Burr
said. "We're working hard, we're very dedicated and we're getting
better."

Sanders said it has taken
awhile to learn all of the nuisances of competitive cheer, including rules
and points, but she's been impressed with her team's willingness to soak up
everything.

"They're really
focused and they really want to improve," Sanders said. "Right now
they're just learning and improving every time they step on the mat."

Sanders
also has
turned to area coaches and judges for advice.

"The Grandville
coach (Julie Smith-Boyd) has opened her door and said we can come to one of
their practices," Sanders said.

The Rams are slated for
10 competitions this season and they've already appeared in three.

They made their debut at
Kenowa Hills last month and took part in the Grandville Invitational and last
week's Allendale Invitational.

Central's roster consists
of nine and they include seniors Chae Battles, Kristinea Vaughn and Shanquia
Smith, juniors Jazmyne Harris, Candice Crump and
co-captain Amaraih Stepter
and sophomores Andrea Ewing and Kiara Best.

© 2005 Grand Rapids Press. Used
with permission

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