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About The amplifier. (West Linn, Oregon) 1921-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 2006)
Sports 2006 ____________ 15 Club cheerleading focuses on competition J acob G ianuzzi Staff Reporter Cheerleading: cheer squads yelling encouragingly using rhythmic cheering for a sports team. This is not the case with competitive cheerleaders who haye intense competitions of their own. Cheer clubs from around the nation meet to compete. Nicole Stadell, sophomore, is a part of the senior 4-5 level which is the highest level of the competitions and she competes through Thunder Elite Cheerleading in Clackamas. They perform routines against rival cheer clubs such as West Coast Extreme. "It is a mix of gymnastics, stunts and dance. We don't really cheer during meets," Stadell said. Rachel Sebastian, senior, competes for West Coast Extreme in Tigard. Sebastian works as a back base and her job is to make sure that the girl in the air at the time is safe. She recently stopped participating in competitive cheer but competed previously for five years. Teams travel to places Stadell said cheerers from competitions to end so the such as Texas and Calif, for Thunder Elite Cheerleading turnout is less than it should national meets. Thunder have achieved multiple be," Sebastian said. Elite won the 4-5 level at scholarships for college. Those cheerleaders JamFest in Calif, last year. have some high standards Stadell said she is interested Their routines last two-and considering their current in doing cheer competitions a-half minutes turnout is hundreds and they practice of kids and parents. often during the off "You have to season. Practices want to do it; it's occur three times more intense then per week and last most people think up to three hours cheer competitions per practice. can be," Stadell "Cheering is said. definitely a big "Compared time commitment, to football I think that's what made it's as intense but me quit because in different ways. it interfered with Football is more Members of the West Coast Extreme squad compete school and work," winning oriented in Honolulu, Hawaii. Marissa Clark, junior, and seniors Samantha Swartz, Kylie Phillips, Korissa and if you lose Sebastian said. Mehdikhan and Rachel Sebastian practiced many its less fun than it Stadell said a hours to perfect their routine. would be if you win background in Photo submitted by Rachel Sebastian while in cheer it's gymnastics or more of the thrill dance is a great in college and is interested everyone gets from the stunts way to get to the 4-5 level. Oregon State University, we perform," Sebastian said. She also did soccer for four Thunder Elite years and if helped her get in which has a good cheering squad. Cheerleading will have a good physical condition for The competitive cheering cheering. local competition sometime world is taken seriously and in Dec. Until then, Stadell "A history in gymnastics, is frequently in local news. even a small one, can help and her teammates will be "People who participate practicing their two-and-a- someone to reach the 4-5 are so talented but it half minute routine. level in competitive cheer," takes a long time for the Stadell said. Lions retain number two spot after Milwaukie win Till! liillliS fgf IlHlfQffl m continued from page 14 Because of his injury, Zito sat out the game, but that did not impede the Lions from winning. Bryce Baker, sophomore quarterback, stepped in and led the team to a 20-0 win over Putnam. Losing a starting quarterback can be a bad situation for any team, but the Lions overcame it by being aggressive. On their first drive, the team was faced with a fourth and short situation while still in its own territory. The Lions went for it when many teams would have punted, enabling rookie Baker to sneak for a four-yard gain and a first down. On Putnam's first drive, Putnam received and ran a kick-off for 79 yards to the WL six yard line. While the situation looked grim to fans, according to Quinn the team wasn't worried. "We knew we could do it. We're ready to win," he said. Brad Rose, senior comer, blocked Putnam's field goal attempt, and Zack White, senior tight-end, ran it over 60 yards for a TD, which brought the score to 20-0. There were no scores from the Lions during the second half, but they managed to hold off the Kingsmen for a shutout. This is the first year since 1999 that West Linn has gone 5-0. "The Senior Class is a great strength. There are no Kyle Quinn, senior running back, runs the ball past Putnam defenders at the Homecoming Game. Quinn rushed for 123 yards in the game and has been a consistent perfomer throughout the season. Photo by Cole Fiala big egos. Everyone is ready to step up and make bigs plays and [just] as ready to step back and let others," Chappell said. Though ranked number eight, the Lions lost to the number nine Lakers on Oct. 12,42-0. According to coaches, though the team will be without a first round bye, the TRL-2 bracket is easier which increases their chances of making a post-season run. The turnout by Lions fans for the game was huge. There was standing room only in the stands. People came decked out in green and gold, ready to cheer on their team no matter the outcome. Coaches say the team is approaching the first playoff game in two years with a positive outlook. "As long as we keep on getting better...that's as much as we can do," Chappell said. An easy win against Oregon City, who has yet to win any games, is most likely. The final scheduled game of the season is Nov. 3 against the McKay Royal Scots. The TRL- 2 spot is most expected for the Lions and they will play Metro- 4 , currently Beaverton, in the first round. Boys Soccer game stirs controversy ___________________________ m continued from page 13 The Lake Oswego game, on Sept. 21 was a positive note for the new team. After an uneventful first half and down 1-3, the Lions were looking at another loss. However, when the game started getting physical West Linn was able to keep their composure. During a penalty kick by co-captain, Abdelkaddar Elhabbassi, senior, which brought the game 2-3, a foul was made by a Lake Oswego player, awarding West Linn an other penalty kick. Elhabbassi made the sec ond shot and tied the game 3-3. The game ended with a furious Lake Oswego coach, who resigned days later, after being escorted off the field by West Linn police. "I'm proud of the team for handling the difficult situ ation. A year ago the team would've broken into a fist fight," Bean said. Although the team's re cord didn't go the way Bean had hoped, they did achieve other goals. Bean hoped for a playoff spot as well as a change in the team's chemistry and persona. "We had a bad reputation in the league. I wanted to change the culture of West Linn soccer," Bean said, "Changing a program is a lot of work and is still a work in progress. The real ity is when we, as a team, are really need to be a coach, constantly motivating and improving day in and day out." Bean is optimistic, saying the team learned how to play both halves of the game. With a young team, he is hoping for an even better '07 season.
