Sunday, March 2, 2008

Maroons
take sixth at regional

Holland Christian unable
to defend state title

By
Rob Knecht Sentinel contributor

GRAND RAPIDS | The Holland
Christian competitive cheer team won't be able to defend its Division 2 state
championship.

The Maroons
finished in sixth place at Saturday's Division 2 regional at Kenowa Hills High School
and did not qualify for next week's state meet.

They finished with
a three-round score of 700.083 points.

First-year Holland
Christian coach Darlena Draisma
was pleased with her team's effort.

"Just being
here today was a victory. I couldn't have asked for anything more," Draisma said. "They performed solid in round one.
They were a little shaky in round three, but sometimes nerves get the best
you, and that's OK."

The Maroons also
had to deal with a shorthanded lineup.

Seniors Charlotte Oonk and Sarah Rietema could
not perform this weekend. Senior Miranda VandeBurg
was the only representative of the senior class who started with four.

"They have
had a tough season and have gone through a lot this year," Draisma said. "We lost two seniors to a broken arm
and appendicitis. We had to plug in three girls in all three rounds. We had
to change everything last week."

The Maroons
recorded the third-highest score in round two with 214.5 points.

Zeeland East
placed 13th out of 16 teams with a score of 579.0.

It was the Chix's first regional competition. They could not attend
last year's tournament because of poor weather.

"It was an
exciting day," Zeeland East coach Abby Lake
said. "They did more than anybody could ask for in our second
year."

Seniors Beka Taylor and Julia Mattson performed their last
competition for the Chix, Lake
said.

"It was
emotional," Lake said. "But they
really brought it. They were ready to celebrate the hard work they've done
this season."

Kenowa Hills
captured the regional title, while Grand Rapids Christian came in second.
Both teams advance to next week's state meet.