LAYTON — The Northridge drill team had a wildly successful season this year, picking up prestigious league, state and national honors.
But it's unlikely that the trophies and awards earned by the Cardinelles will be what they treasure for the rest of their lives or remember the most about their 2007-08 season. Instead, they'll likely recall seeing firsthand the inspiring strength of their coach Michelle Falk, who along with her husband, Chris, dealt with devastating news to start the year and difficult circumstances throughout the drill season.
Oh, and they'll remember the incredible will and fight of a toddler named Mason, who basically became the younger brother of 22 Cardinelles.
The Falks' lives were turned upside down when their son, Mason, then 15 months old, was diagnosed with leukemia last July. Michelle and Chris realized Mason had a high temperature while eating ice cream with friends one day last summer and took him to the doctor for what they believed would be a routine checkup. That's when doctors discovered Mason had cancer and they quickly started plans for his first round of chemotherapy.
The discovery almost drove Michelle to quit coaching her drill team. It would be almost impossible to juggle coaching the Cardinelles with being there for her family during Mason's treatment, she thought. Chris, however, wouldn't go for it. He was the first to realize that Michelle's coaching the Cardinelles would be a welcome distraction for the family during the difficult time.
"I really do have the world's greatest husband," Michelle said. "He's the most supportive person I've ever met."
Chris would need to fill that role, as Mason had some rough days. He was near death following his first round of chemotherapy treatments. He suffered respiratory failure and was put into a medically induced coma. One risky procedure that involved relieving pressure on his lungs from his swollen liver and spleen helped save his life.
It takes some luck for a young kid to survive leukemia and the brutal treatments that come with it. It didn't hurt Mason's chances for survival when he showed a fighter's mentality and a strong will to live.
"Every once in a while they (the doctors) would say he's not doing good, this is not good," Michelle said. "And then somehow Mason would fight through it and come back. He's tough."
Mason continued to hang in there while providing his parents with a few other scares during October, November and December. During those months, Michelle spent more time with her drill team than she did with Chris.
Fortunately, Mason eventually prevailed in his fight with cancer. His leukemia was declared to be in remission on Jan. 14. He isn't completely in the clear, as his form of leukemia (Acute Myelogenous Leukemia) has a high rate of relapse at about 50 percent.
Mason was released from the hospital in time to support the Cardinelles and witness their successful finish to the season.
They won the Region 1 championship, took fifth place in state, and captured the title of grand national champions when they bested 61 other teams at a competition in Orlando, Fla., last month. The Cardinelles also won the sportsmanship award at the state competition, an honor that's voted on by all of the participating drill teams.
"It was a great reward after the hard season we went through and all the work we put in," said Becca Vaillancourt, one of the Cardinelles' team captains. "It was a welcome relief to know we put it towards something good."
Falk also deservingly won the state's Coach of the Year award. That honor was nice, but it didn't compare to the victory her team captured at nationals. When the name Cardinelles was announced as the grand national champions, she sobbed, knowing the title was vindication for all that she went through in the previous eight months.
"We couldn't have done it without her," Vaillancourt said.
And the strength of a certain toddler, who spent the entire fall in the hospital, also played a role in Northridge's impressive season.
"With Mason, he helped our team unite," said Cardinelle Jenessa Johnson. "It's kind of like crazy, but I think we just came together because we knew we had to get through what was going on."
Northridge won't have the benefit of Michelle's leadership next year, as she's decided to step down as coach. She will be with the team for its year-end collage on April 28. The event will serve as a fundraiser, as all proceeds raised from it will be given to families affected by cancer.
"Mason has got to be No. 1," Michelle said. "I want to spend every second I can with him."
She'll also dedicate herself to helping other families affected by cancer. The Falks have started a foundation called "Team Mason Fight Club." It was "created to facilitate and assist leukemia patients and their families throughout their treatment and to educate the public about leukemia." It will take part in a "Canvas for Cancer" fundraiser next Wednesday at Weber State University's union building at 6 p.m. More information can be found at www.teammason.us.
Mason seems to be like any other healthy toddler now. His hair is growing back. The Cardinelles are teaching him new dance moves. He runs with Chris. He serves as a source of strength for his parents, who filled that role for him during his many months in the hospital.
He's also changed the perspective his parents have on life.
"You have to live each day to its fullest," Michelle said. "I know that sounds so cliche, but that's what we've learned. You cannot take any moment for granted."
E-mail: aaragon@desnews.com