The Saline Reporter
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Saline suffers setbacks, readies for home Invitational
Injuries hamper improvement efforts but Aben confident
By Jerry Hinnen, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: February 7, 2008
Nothing's coming easy for the Saline competitive cheer team as it enters the middle stretch of its season. But head coach Launie Aben believes that's all right.
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A handful of injuries and substantially tougher competition — and the tighter judging that comes with it — meant that the Hornets saw their scores drop from their performance Jan. 30 in the Clinton Invitational to Saturday's meet at Ladywood.
Aben said, however, that her team's "one step at a time" approach to improvement means that the Hornets will continue to move forward despite the obstacles.
"We just have to reevaluate as we go and make any necessary changes," Aben said. "I've always been proud of my team's ability to overcome any situation."
The Hornets posted a new season-high score in Round 3 and a solid 197 in Round 1 of the Clinton meet, but at Ladywood those "situations" included a score of 146 in Round 1 (due mostly, Aben said, to the stricter judging and strength of the field) and a broken wrist suffered by a team member at the meet.
Aben said even that wasn't enough to throw the Hornets off, however, as they put together a solid Round 3 performance.
"They settled down and went back at it," she said. "They take it all in stride. Just like in any other sport, bumps and bruises, sprained ankles and broken bones, they're all part of it."
As for the score, Aben said as long as her team improves and performs to its ability, neither she nor her Hornets are going to dwell on them. She noted that one of the highlights of the week was their strong routine at Ladywood in the gymnastics-focused Round 2 that had been causing them problems, even if it happened to be one of the lower-scored performances in the round.
"They didn't get the score, but they executed the formation exactly the way they should have," Aben said. "It's just the little details that are hurting us."
One of the highlights of the season is approaching as Saline will host its second annual Saline Cheer Invitational 6 p.m. Wednesday.
A full complement of five teams will be there to compete with honors going to the top three in the competition.
"We're very excited. It's always fun to have our own competition, in front of our own fans and community," Aben said. "We're looking to finish in the top three and bring home one of those trophies. It would be a huge accomplishment for us. I think we've got a real shot."
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