After placing third in their first competition and seventh out of eight teams in their league, Coach Shari Russell says the Varsity Competitive Cheer team is going to have a ‘pretty tough season? ahead of them.
‘Because our league, (OAA Red) is probably one of the toughest leagues in the state of Michigan, so that will be a challenge for us,? she said.
League teams include Lake Orion, Stoney Creek, Clarkston, Rochester Adams, Rochester High, Troy Athens and Troy High.
‘The majority of the teams in the league could make it to state championship,? Russell said. ‘So, it’s probably the toughest league in the state of Michigan.?
As far as returnees to the team, Russell noted that she has 11 girls that have done competitive cheer. Of those she has eight seniors on the team, which include Jaclynn Borg, Melanie Cappell, Peyton Colling, Rachel Hill, Brijana Jackson, Bayley Rochon, Kaleigh Saxon and Kesley Seawright.
‘This is probably one of the most positive, hardworking, dedicated group of girls that I’ve had. The leadership is outstanding,? Russell said. ‘They are very welcoming to the younger girls and encouraging. They’re constantly lifting each other’s spirits up, encouraging each other to believe, to work a little bit harder and do a little bit more. They’ve so far just been an awesome group to coach because they are just so motivated and want to keep working.?
Newbies to the team include freshmen Trinity Munoz, Maddie Pavliscak and Leah Vandecar
‘They are doing a great job,? Russell said. ‘So, we expect a lot of improvement with them over the course of the year.?
Also new is junior Samantha Carroll.
‘She’s been a competitive gymnast in the past, so she has a lot to offer to the team,? Russell said, speaking of Carroll. ‘She recently (suffered) an injury in practice prior to our first competition, so we’re hoping she’ll (recover soon) and get back into it.?
As far as tournaments go, Russell said the Wildcat cheerleaders are looking forward to their home invitational, which is the sixth annual Mardi Gras Mambo on Jan. 10 at Oxford High School. The competition will start at 9 a.m. They are also looking forward to the league championship and post season competition.
‘Really important for us is districts, where it’s going to be (a) pretty tough crowd and try and make it to the top four again, so we go on to regionals,? she added.
While making it to regionals is one of the goals of the season, the other goal is to ‘everyday get a little bit better.?
‘For the past few years, it seems like we’ve increased our score and had the highest score ever in Oxford every year,? Russell explained. ‘So, we want to do that again this year and just raise the bar up a little bit more.?