For the fourth time in nine years, the Freeland varsity pompon squad can call themselves state champions.
“I cannot praise this team enough,” head coach Jennifer Kuester said. “This group of girls is very special and they became a family this year. They are very dedicated to each other and determined to be successful. They work hard and they work as a team, while also enjoying their time together, no matter what. Their attitudes are amazing, and they have been capable of whatever they set their minds to.”
The school has put together a powerhouse pompon program, having qualified for the state competition 13 consecutive years. In that stretch, they came in second place in 2011 and 2012 and earned state championships in 2004, 2008, 2009, and 2013.
“This team has been very successful for many years,” Kuester said. “This was not even close to being a fluke. I knew at the beginning of our season that this year’s team would be capable of anything, as I have a group of absolutely amazing athletes with truly wonderful attitudes.”
On this year’s squad were seniors Danessa Hellus (captain) and Jenny Kendall, both of whom were four year members.
“Danessa’s positive attitude and smile are absolutely contagious, and her laughter is something our team will certainly miss next year,” Kuester said. “Kendall is always willing to go above and beyond for her teammates, and our team will definitely miss her and her dedicated attitude next year.”
Juniors on the team were Haley Gilbert (captain), Kaylie Redburn, and Cati Sheneman, who were all on the team three years.
“Gilbert’s showmanship and sportsmanship are some of the absolute best and she plans on continuing with the sport beyond high school, as she truly loves pompon,” Kuester said. “Redburn is a phenomenal pommer, one of the very best, and she succeeds in this sport while also being an important part of Freeland’s varsity gymnastics team. Sheneman is a trustworthy and extremely dedicated athlete that any coach would be lucky to have, as she always does her best and accomplishes her goals.”
Sophomores on the team are Nicole Lelo (captain), Kendal Mason, and Jordan Pollard.
“Lelo always has her team’s best interests at heart, and she has even volunteered her skills by helping Freeland’s Middle School pompon team this year,” Kuester said. “Mason is a wonderfully talented and promising pommer with an absolutely superb attitude, and she makes whatever she does look easy. Pollard is extremely talented and dedicated to her teammates, always leading by example.”
Freshmen on the team were Maddy Boman, Bree Dittenber, Madison O’Leary, Lauren Sanchez, Jasmine VanAmburg, Lexy Weersma, and Kenzie White.
“Boman’s drive to be the best is contagious, as she always gives more than 100 percent and is capable of whatever she puts her mind to,” Kuester said. “Dittenber constantly pushes herself to do her best, and her showmanship abilities have been a wonderful asset to our team. O’Leary has proven that she is capable of anything in this sport, and she even successfully accomplished a move this year that many teams would reserve for their upperclassmen. Sanchez always strives to improve herself and to be the best, and because of that, she has become an excellent pommer with outstanding abilities.
“VanAmburg’s dedication to the sport has made her into a talented pommer, and her willingness to help others has been a huge asset to our team,” Kuester added. “Weersma made the Mid-American Pompon All-Star Team as a freshman this year, and she is Freeland’s first ever freshman to do so. White’s constant smile makes just about anyone’s day, and her energetic attitude has been a positive asset to our team this year.”
Losing just two seniors to graduation, the coach feels there’s no reason her squad can’t have a repeat performance next season.
“This team is very capable of being in the top of the state every year,” Kuester said. “We have consistently remained in the top for many years now. Another championship is not out of reach from these girls.”
Other area teams find success at State Pom Pon Championships
Freeland wasn’t the only local team to win a state pompon championship. Nouvel Catholic Central emerged as class C-D state champion during the finals held at Eastern Michigan University. Nouvel took first with 438 points, beating out Hemlock (421.5), Valley Lutheran (418), and Reese (418).
Freeland claimed the Class B state championship with 486 points, with Swan Valley second with 465 points. Alma was fifth and Gladwin sixth in Class B.
State Championship 2013 Final Rankings
Class A
1. Garden City 505.5
2. Howell 489
3. Plymouth 484
4. Heritage 483
5. Novi 473
6. Birmingham Groves 471.5
7. Canton 468
8. Farmington 461
9. Livonia Churchill 457.5
10. Midland Dow 457.5
11. Livonia Stevenson 453.5
12. South Lyon 445
13. Mercy 437.5
Class A Division II
1. Livonia Franklin 439.5
2. Crestwood 433.5
3. Farmington Harrison 431
4. Northville 420.5
5. Lakeland 419.5
6. Brandon 415.5
7. North Farmington 413.5
8. Lansing Eastern 405
9. Byron Center 395.5
10. Midland 395.5
11. Bay City Western 382
Collegiate Division
1. Atomic Pom 496
2. Michigan State 486.5
3. Saginaw Valley State 470.5
4. Central Michigan University 441
5. Michigan 440.5
6. Grand Valley State 434.5
Class B
1. Freeland 486
2. Swan Valley 465
3. Divine Child Catholic 453.5
4. John Glenn 453
5. Alma 404.5
6. Gladwin 385
Class C/D
1. Nouvel Catholic Central 438
2. Hemlock 421.5
3. Valley Lutheran 418
4. Reese 402.5
5. Ithaca 400.5
6. All Saints Central 398
7. St. Louis 393