Cheer
teams off to states

Originally published March 9, 2007

By Dan Strawser

DAILY PRESS & ARGUS

Perfection.

That's what Hartland
cheerleading coach Paula Cunningham believes it will take to unseat two-time
defending state champion Rochester.

"We'll have to
nail all three rounds," Cunningham said. "That's what I'm hoping
for — more than beating Rochester
— is for the girls to perform to their full potential. That way they'll
have no regrets when the season is over."

Hartland finished
fifth at the state finals last year and Brighton
was seventh.

They'll be attempting
to better those finishes today at 6 p.m. at the DeltaPlex in Grand Rapids.

"We have yet to
compete to our full potential, but that's what we're shooting for," said
Cunningham, who added her team has been getting closer and closer to where
they need to be. "I think they'll peak (today)."

The Bulldogs had a
solid finish at the regional, scoring 669.3 points, despite having to make a
last-minute lineup change.

Freshman Amy Zwald replaced an injured upperclassmen.

"A freshman is
going to have to step it up at the state finals, too," said Brighton coach Kim Klaus. "The first time out on
the floor is the most nerve-wracking. She'll go into states with more
confidence knowing that she can do it."

Klaus said her team
has talked about trying to beat last year's seventh-place finish, but with such
a young squad it may be difficult.

"With all the
hurdles we've overcome this year, we're just happy to be at states,"
Klaus said. "We just want to do all the rounds the best we can and if we
do that we'll be happy."

Klaus said the
"hurdles" have been one after another between injuries and
sickness.

"They always seem
to rise up," she said. "They're a young, competitive team. We have
two sophomores and a freshman that are flying. Normally, you have two juniors
and a senior, or two seniors and a junior."

Klaus was impressed
with the Eagles' showing at the regional tournament. Hartland finished with
715.5 points.

"Hartland did an
amazing job in rounds two and three," Klaus said. "We had an OK
round two and three. We're hoping to make those really good rounds (today).

"It will be a
good day. It's a chance to give the young kids more experience on the floor
at the state meet. The unknown is always a little scary."

While Rochester
is the favorite, Klaus and Cunningham agree that Grandville, East Kentwood and
Southgate
will also be near the top.