Cheer team smaller, younger

Thursday, January
20, 2005By Steve Ungrey

The Grand Rapids Press

Pam Decker can only hope
the worst is behind the Rogers
competitive cheer team.

It was during one of the
first workouts of the season that senior Alisha
Legg suffered a dislocated elbow, which knocked her out of competition for
the season.

That happened two weeks
ago, before the Golden Hawks even took the mat.

Rogers' season didn't begin until
Wednesday, when O-K Conference Tier 2 action began at Godwin Heights
with a league dual.

Combined with the loss of
some girls due to graduation and others who elected not to return, it has
been a season of flux for Decker as she prepares to launch the current squad
on its way.

"We made the
decision not to do too many invitationals this year," Decker said.

"Our program is
still growing and our school is still getting used to competitive cheer. So
many girls may have been stunned by the hard work that goes into this and we
may have lost a couple girls because of that."

Only two seniors

The squad has 15 girls,
although only 14 will take the mat for competition (Legg is still on the
roster), with only two seniors in Megan Roberts and Erin Mather.

"It's a smaller team
than it was last year, and we're still trying to get a new flyer prepared and
our routines down," Decker said.

Juniors Amy Robinson,
Alicia Bylsma, Heather Smith, Lauren See, Katie Adamczyck, Caitlin Myers and Jessie Tran will see plenty
of action in invitationals and meets this year, along with sophomores Amy
Norton, Jessie Broxton, Kyria Mitchell, Erica
Vincent and Kelly Deblecourt.

Tier 2 includes
Allendale, Coopersville, Comstock Park, Godwin
Heights, Kelloggsville, Hamilton and Calvin
Christian.

Decker, who coaches the
team along with Alicia Bartelds, is hoping for a
good finish.

"Every year our
program is facing a challenge," Decker said.

"I'm hoping we can
finish above the middle of the pack in our conference and that we don't face
any more setbacks."

© 2005 Grand Rapids Press.
Used with permission

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