By Sue Teggart
C & G Sports Writer

BERKLEY — Heading into the Feb. 6 Oakland Activities Association Blue championship meet, the Berkley High cheer team was in a good position.

The Bears had already won the Jan. 13 and Jan. 25 Blue Division competitions, scoring 611.5426 and 616.6812, respectively, so they had a little breathing room.

And after finishing the championship a close second to Lahser — Berkley finished with 659.4418 points to Lahser’s 666.0552 — the Bears had just enough to clinch their first league title in 10 years.

“Winning our league means a lot to me and my assistant coach, Juliane Sinelli,” Berkley coach Karen Hathaway said. “For the girls, it means everything. It shows them that hard work and sticking together pays off. 

“Even though this was the smallest team in numbers that I’ve coached at Berkley, I’m so proud of them for never giving up on each other and for showing their classmates how great cheerleading at Berkley has become.”

Hathaway said the squad’s dedication to improving was the key factor in its success this season.

“They don’t want to just settle for OK,” Hathaway said prior to the championship meet. “It’s good to see them achieve those goals and set them higher the next time.” 

“This is the most uniform our team has ever been,” junior Emily Stinert said. “We’re very focused this year.”

The team’s success is even more impressive considering its small size. Hathaway said her squads have averaged 25-30 girls in the past, but have just 11 this season.

When the season began, some of the girls admitted that their lack of numbers was discouraging, but it didn’t let it dampen their spirits for long.

“(The squad) is smaller, but I think it’s actually been a benefit, because everyone has gotten to be in more than one round,” Hathaway said.

Many of the girls agreed that the team’s positive attitude and will to succeed was pivotal to its success.

“We’re actually a really happy team, and that’s what makes us have fun,” senior Shamya Howell said. “As long as you’re having fun, you’re going to do good.”

With league competitions all wrapped up, the Bears now turn their focus to the state tournament. The Bears host their district competition, which gets under way at 4 p.m. Feb. 20.

You can reach Sports Writer Sue Teggart at steggart@candgnews.com or at (586) 279-1107.