Holland Christian cheer
seeks state title

Wednesday,
January 24, 2007

By
Steve Vedder

The Grand Rapids Press

After a pair of
near-misses, Holland Christian competitive cheer coach Beth Cunningham is
hoping her team is ready to take the next step.

In addition to three
regional titles, the Maroons finished second in the state two years ago and
were third last season. With experience that includes four four-year
lettermen and several underclassmen, Holland Christian should be in the hunt
for a state title, Cunningham said.

Particularly after winning
last Saturday's 12-team Holland Christian Invitational that Cunningham viewed
as one of the team's first real hurdles. The field of teams included Kenowa
Hills, Byron Center, Grand Rapids Christian, Catholic
Central and Pewamo-Westphalia.

"We definitely have
the potential to win a state championship," she said. "If we keep
working hard."

The Maroons' own
tournament kicked off a month-long stretch in which Holland Christian will
compete against several Division 1 teams, travel to Chesaning and compete at
the DeltaPlex against many good teams from the east side of the state.
Holland Christian will compete at Saturday's East Kentwood Invitational and
then be at the DeltaPlex on Feb. 10. Holland Christian also makes its first
appearance at the Chesaning Invitational on Feb. 17.

Headed by four-year
lettermen Sara Woodwyk, Ashley Bauman, Krissie Bartles and Anna Gensink, Cunningham said the team can be every bit as
good as the two state placers.

"We're very excited,"
she said. "We have a lot of potential. What we're hoping to do right now
is improve on our scores."

Cunningham takes over a
program that, in addition to the state tournament success, won the O-K
Rainbow four times. Holland Christian, which moved to the O-K Green, is off
to a fast start. The Maroons won the pre-conference meet and also won the
nine-team Comstock Park Invitational. Holland Christian is ranked No. 3 in
the state.

Cunningham, the program's
co-coach and assistant coach the last two years, said the team is aware of
the success at the state level.

"The girls have high
expectations for themselves just like we do," she said. "We're
expecting them to work hard and give their best performance every time they
go on the floor."