In the game with Salem gymnast Lauren Deutscher

VIRGINIA BEACH

It was supposed to be a good move.

But when Lauren Deutscher found out she couldn't cheer or compete during her junior year, she started second-guessing herself.

Deutscher, now a senior at Salem, had transferred from First Colonial after her sophomore year and expected to be able to participate.

But she was ineligible under the Virginia High School League's transfer rule, a decision that was upheld by the school board.

"I was really upset," said Deutscher, who will compete on balance beam and in vaulting at Saturday's Eastern Region meet at Western Branch. "Me and my mom had gone before the school board and gave them my speech. They said they'd review it."

Meanwhile, Deutscher tried out for the cheering squad and made it. Two days later she got the call.

"I really didn't want to miss any of my junior year," she said of her two sports. "But they called and said no. I had to sit out.

"I really didn't understand and still don't. I mean, I can go to school and be involved in as many clubs as I want... I just can't play sports?"

Deutscher had made the move because her mom teaches at Salem and coaches the junior varsity cheering team.

"My parents are divorced and I have no contact with my father," she said. "I went through some stuff at First Colonial and it just wasn't working out for me there. I didn't appreciate being there. It wasn't anything terrible and I don't have any problems with the school.

"I just needed a big change in my life."

Deutscher put her disappointment aside and found a silver lining.

"She came to every meet and traveled with us and did everything we needed done," said Salem gymnastics coach Wendy Cauthen. "She's been so determined. It's just a joy having her around because she's got a great demeanor and personality.

"Everybody just adores her."

While working out with the cheering squad and gymnastics team, Deutscher made new friends and found a home at Salem.

And there were other, more important, benefits.

"I was able to concentrate on schoolwork and I brought my grades back up," Deutscher said. "I got into the distributive education club and the class council. I was on the yearbook staff. I missed competing, but overall it was probably good for me.

"And I'm definitely much happier and making the most out of my senior year."

Deutscher wants to attend East Carolina or Old Dominion and attempt to make one of their cheering teams, and plans to study sports management.

"I'd like to open up my own gym," she said. "Either a gymnastics gym or a cheering gym... maybe both. I coach now at my cheerleading club and really like it."

Just like how she now feels about her big move.

Lee Tolliver, (757) 222-5844, lee.tolliver@pilotonline.com

Twitter @LeeTolliver