Angie Barker

As you walk into the gym at Albert Lea High School, the energy is at maximum capacity.

Saturday, January 26, 2002

As you walk into the gym at Albert Lea High School, the energy is at maximum capacity. In Donna Marty’s first year of coaching ALHS cheerleading she has compiled a new tradition: going to state competition.

The competition squad consists of 19 girls from fall and winter cheerleading and was hand picked by Marty based on skill, work ethic, and attitude.

&uot;We started practice in December so I could look at the winter girls as well the fall,&uot; Marty said. &uot;These girls have worked hard to get where they are.&uot;

Next year Marty plans on holding try outs in March, starting practice in May and going to cheerleading camp in the summer. Camp, along with all other expenses, is individually funded. The school has given permission to use the uniforms for competitions, but transportation and entrance fees are all out of pocket. Marty has donated her time to coach the squad.

&uot;We were just glad cheerleading didn’t get cut because we were on that list,&uot; Marty said.

Cheerleading may still be around because of Marty. She has increased participation and skill level, and revitalized school spirit. Other goals for the year include not having safety deductions at state.

&uot;We are not thinking trophy, trophy, trophy,&uot; Marty said. &uot;If we were doing it for the trophies it would be for the wrong reasons; it’s a matter of pride.&uot;

The squad practices at 6 a.m., doing more than 100 lifts and tosses a day.

Teamwork is important with different girls playing leadership roles.

&uot;Separating people out with captains disrupts the team chemistry,&uot; Marty said. &uot;I need to make sure the team chemistry is on so my squad is connecting to make the stunts happen.&uot;

The squad consists of seniors Dana Seadlund, Kelsey Boyd, Amber Watney and Stacia Oyer, juniors Kellie Jordahl, Katie Hatcher, Ashley Walton, Amy Sharpsteen, Jennifer Osmundson, Amanda Jensen, Lindsey Eagan, Krystal Paulson, Cari Eggum, and Jenna Lageson, sophomores Jordan Hagen and Jodi Moen, freshmen Kellie Schreiber, Kristen Mummert and Mary Beth Cook.

At state the girls will be scored in five divisions: presentation, fundamental skill, group skill, difficulty, and overall effect. To maximize point earnings the squad has included a full team pyramid, liberties, basket tosses and single based elevators.

&uot;Our skill package has improved from basic level to advanced competition level,&uot; Marty said.

The performance will consist of two sequences and last two and a half minutes. Ninety seconds will include stunts, choreography and music. Cheering and crowd involvement will be the rest.

&uot;Cheerleading is not as easy as people think,&uot; Marty said. &uot;These girls always have bruises.&uot;

The state competition is Sunday, Feb. 3 at Concordia College in St. Paul. The St. Cloud State invitational is Feb. 10.

On Thursday, Jan. 31 the squad will have an exhibition practice at 7:45 a.m. in the High School gym that will be open to the public.

&uot;It’s been hard to be seen by the public because the girls are cheering on other squads,&uot; Marty said. &uot;Hopefully the community will come out to support us.&uot;