Sunday,
March 6, 2005

Back to states again

Huskies win 12th straight regional

By DREW
ELLIS

Sun Sports Writer

The MHSAA needs to take a look at giving
Breckenridge cheer an exemption from regional competition.

Since the sport became officially recognized in 1994, the
Huskies have won the regional title every year, including Saturday's win at
Breckenridge High School, as the Huskies advanced to their 12th straight Class
C/D state finals appearance.

"It's a qualifying day so we know we need to do our best,“ Huskie coach Deb Gaines
said of regional competition. "We can't take it off and fall short of
making it to the finals, but with the same respect, it is not as high pressure
as next week will be and the competition level will be top-notch.“

The Huskies had 699 total points to take first place, beating
out Brown City, which finished second with a 634.5
total points, to also qualify for the state finals.

"Regional scores are a bit tighter than regular-season
scores, but any score over 700 is a good score,“
Gaines said. "That is usually the mark we are shooting for in every
competition.“

Breckenridge started the day out slowly, scoring a 185 in round
one, which left it in second place as Brown City
scored a 187.5 in the opener.

"I don't know what happened there,“
Gaines said of the first round. "With all the snow, we only had two days
of practice this week. So I think the girls were a bit nervous coming out and
weren't quite on mark.“

The Huskies then got back on track, scoring 212.5 points in
round two, and 301.5 in round three, best of any team in each round.

Munising just missed reaching the finals on the day, finishing
third with 624 points. Sanford-Meridian was fourth with 605.5, and Merrill was
fifth with 604. Ithaca
placed seventh on the day with 536.

The Huskies now move on the Class C/D state finals on Saturday,
beginning at 2 p.m. at the Deltaplex in Grand
Rapids.

With four of the last five state titles under their belt, the
Huskies will once again have the targets on their back in the finals.

"I don't think a lot of them understand it,“ Gaines said of the pressure on her team as it
prepares for another state-final run. "I sort of deflect it onto myself in
trying to make sure they are prepared and that everything looks good. They just
need to go out and perform like they have all season.“

The Huskies may not be alone in their trip to Grand
Rapids next week, as their work with other area teams has made the
Central Michigan area a marquee spot for competitive cheer with the growth in
programs like Mt.
Pleasant and Chippewa
Hills.

"I think we have done a lot to help out the other teams,“ Gaines said. "I think just looking at the conference, it improved a lot this year. Chip Hills has
called us a lot looking to get involved and get better. I take pride in the
fact that they look to us for assistance, and I am always more than happy to
help out and share with them.“

With their contributions to the sport both on and off the mat,
the Huskies have made as strong a case as any to have a lifetime pass to the
state finals.

But, surely they would also be the first ones to say that they
would rather earn it on the mat.