Wednesday, March 09, 2005

GHS, SMH cheerleaders advance

By Mike Dunn, Sports Editor

GAYLORD - It was a mission accomplished for the Gaylord
and St. Mary competitive cheerleading teams on Saturday. The teams competed in
the annual Michigan Cheerleading Coaches Association (MCCA) regional meet at
Gaylord High School and both advanced to the state meet that is scheduled for
this Saturday at Saginaw Valley State University. Gaylord competes in Class A
and St. Mary in Class D.

"I felt that the girls and Danny (Williams) did really
well," veteran GHS coach Ronda Davis said. "We're very excited to
have the opportunity to compete at state again. This young team has come a
long, long way this year. It's been so great to see them come together and gain
confidence in their abilities. They're working hard this week and they'll be
ready."

"I thought we performed great," St. Mary coach Pam
Zaborowski said. "The girls showed a great
attitude while they did their routines and the crowd really responded to
them."

Gaylord won the Class A regional
title for the second straight year. In Class D, Bellaire also won for the
second straight time, with Marion taking second. St. Mary earned its berth in
the state meet with an at-large bid by earning more than the qualifying number
of points needed. Teams are judged by the number of points earned in two rounds
of performing. The criteria for points includes the
form used, the level of difficulty of the stunts, and the team's involvement
with the crowd.

"We didn't know we made state until they called me on
Sunday morning," Zaborowski said with a smile.
"The coaches told us that we should get an at-large bid, but it was a
relief to finally find out. I'm really happy for the girls and especially Vania (Tomaski). She's our only
senior and it's really nice that she can go to state again."

The Snowbird coach expressed appreciation to assistant
coaches Tom Marquard, who teaches gymnastics, and
Allison Miller, who does choreography. "They've been helping out
tremendously," Zaborowski said.

It is the second year in a row that Gaylord and St. Mary
have earned a berth in the state meet. Gaylord finished 22nd among Class A
teams in the state meet in 2004 and the Snowbirds came in eighth overall in
Class D. Approximately 80 teams compete in the state meet.

"We're working on our crispness and precision this
week," Davis said. "Our goal is to get top 15."

St. Mary is concentrating on incorporating more difficult
stunts and tumbling this week. "Being at state is a great experience and
it brings a lot of exposure with it," Zaborowski
said.

The Gaylord 2005 cheer roster includes co-captains Jessica
Davis and Amber Modrzynski in addition to Andrea Heumann, Heather Knouse, Megan
Gibbs, Amanda Boughner, Alison Mogle,
Katie Goddeyne, Candace Marcotte,
Sarah Forman, Tiffany O'Dell, Kayla Bottrell, Jessica
Wagner, Emily Comella, Catherine Buckler, Danny
Williams, Ashley Figiel, Jessica Sova,
Deann Jutras and Chelsie Johnston.

The St. Mary 2005 roster features Samantha Warren, Katy Zaborowski, Julie Fain, Aimee Isaacson, Sarah Smith,
Stephanie Isaacson, Angela Kuras, Jackie Burzynski, Vania Tomaski and Stephanie Smith.