PUBLISHED:
Sunday, March 12, 2006

Warriors capture first state title

By DREW ELLIS

Sun Sports Writer

GRAND
RAPIDS - The only certain thing in the Class B
competitive cheer state finals was that things were uncertain.

While Breckenridge seemed certain to win the Class C/D title,
and Rochester
likely to win its 10th title in Class A, Class B was the real question mark of
the day.

With two-time defending champion Ovid Elsie not even in the
competition, a new champion would be crowned Saturday, with Chippewa Hills
and Chesaning looked at as the favorites, the two schools traded wins all
season as they vied for the No. 1 spot.

While the Indians got the regional title over Chippewa Hills
by 1.5 points last weekend, it was the Warriors that took the final battle,
winning the Class B title with 733.5 to Chesaning's 728.

"We came out with a goal to have three great rounds and
not worry about what other people do, just worry about what we do,"
Warrior coach Jenna Ruddell said. "Thankfully
we put out three great rounds and managed to win today."

The Warriors were clearly tops after one round, scoring a
200.5, with Chesaning coming in second with 196. Holland Christian was third
with 193.5.

In round two, the Warriors and the Indians broke away from the
rest of the pack, as Chesaning blew away the competition, scoring a 222,
while Chippewa Hills scored a 215. The Indians entered the final round
leading the Warriors 418-415.5, while the remaining teams were all at least
20 points behind Chesaning.

As round three started with the Warriors and Indians fighting
for the top spot, Chippewa Hills got to make the opening statement of the
round, going first, while Chesaning would be the last team to perform.

The Warriors opened the final round by nailing their
performance. Some of the Warriors could barely get off the mat due to their
excitement, while Coach Ruddell was left in tears.
The final round score for the Warriors was 318.

"When we hit round three, I couldn't have asked for
anything better," Ruddell said. "It
didn't matter after that, because we gave it our all. I was just happy to
have seen those 18 girls go out strong like they did. I was very proud."

With the pressure on the Indians to come up big, Chesaning had
a solid round three of its own, but not solid enough, scoring a 310.

As the Warriors were announced as champions, an elated
Chippewa Hills team mobbed its emotional coach, who was still in shock with
the win.

"When they called us as number one, I was excited, I was
proud, it was just a mix of emotions," Ruddell
added. "This was more than a team win, it was a community win. We have
so much support and so many things go into the win, that it felt so
good."

Chippewa Hills went from not even being in the state finals to
champions in just two seasons, as Ruddell has made
the Warrior cheer program into a powerhouse in such a short time.

"These girls worked me as hard as I worked them," Ruddell said of the success in two years. "They were
committed to be the best and they dedicated themselves to reaching that goal.
I pushed them hard to reach that goal, but it was up to them to put in the time
and effort, and they did, and I couldn't be prouder and happier for
them."