 |
||
|
||
| Then there were four
Best of Oakland and Macomb counties highlight regional cheer tourney By Sue Teggart STERLING HEIGHTS — Even after 29 years of coaching, Rochester High cheerleading coach Susan Wood was a mix of emotions and nerves before the Feb. 27 Division 1 regional final at Utica Stevenson. While all eyes have followed the top-ranked and defending state champion Falcons this season, when it was all said and done, it was rival Rochester Hills Stoney Creek that captured the regional crown. The feat marked the Cougars’ first regional title in school history. Stoney coach Tricia Williams said the Cougars performed strong in rounds 1 and 2, but were still just over a point behind Rochester going into round 3. “The team performed their best stunt round of the year right when they needed to and set the bar high for the rest of the teams, as we performed first in the stunt round,” Williams said about the squad’s top-scoring routine. “The sport has grown and progressed so much that there are a number of teams that have the potential to win on any given day, and we knew we are one of those teams. Our regional had six of the top 10-ranked teams in it, so to be able to go in and put out our best performances under that pressure was our goal for the day, and the team did fantastic.” And then there were four The Cougars collected 805.4098 points, followed by Utica Stevenson (799.9968), Rochester (798.3672) and Lake Orion (796.9440). Troy High placed fifth at regionals with 794.9224 points, narrowly missing the state cut. “It’s just an honor to be amongst the best,” said Troy coach Beth Campbell of competing as one of the top 24 teams in the state. “To have worked so hard for the past 10 years and now to actually be considered one of the top teams is the best feeling for the girls.” Fewer than 10 points separated the top four teams at the Stevenson regional. They will join the top four squads from the Brighton High regional — Holland West Ottawa, East Kentwood, Hudsonville High and Hartland High — to compete for a state title. “We are just now starting to get it together and feel confident, and feel like there are great possibilities for us,” Wood said before the regional. An experience to remember Dakota coach Michala Worthy said the competition offered her young squad good experience to build upon. “The good experience of seeing these traditionally strong teams gives (Dakota) an idea mentally what they need to do to get to that point, ” Worthy said. The same philosophy was true for Warren Cousino’s squad, which used the regional experience to learn from the top-tier teams it competed against. “We’re still missing a few key elements because we need tucks, but we’re really close,” said Cousino coach Tina Brown, who described the experience as a “whirlwind.” “It’s been pure excitement, but the girls now know what it takes to get to this level,” Brown said. “This reinforces to them the belief that they are no longer just “Warren Cousino.” They are one of the top 24 teams in the state of Michigan.” You can reach Sports Writer Sue Teggart at steggart@candgnews.com or at (586) 279-1107.
|
