Kenowa
Hills, GR Christian in cheer finals

Thursday,
March 06, 2008

By
Dean Holzwarth

The Grand Rapids Press

The competitive cheer
teams from Kenowa Hills and Grand Rapids Christian have strived for several
years to reach the big stage.

Their time finally has
arrived. Kenowa Hills and Grand Rapids Christian will compete Saturday at the
state finals for the first time in each program's history.

The schools reached the
finals by placing in the top two at a Division 2 regional. The Knights won
their first regional crown last Saturday, while the Eagles finished runner-up.

Both
coaches are ecstatic for the opportunity to compete among the state's best
teams.

"Our team is
overwhelmed and honored to be going to state," Kenowa Hills coach Brenda
Looks said. "They have worked very hard this year and it has definitely
paid off."

Longtime Eagles coach
Jacquie DeJonge has been a part of 13 state finals
as a judge, but this will be her first time with her team. The Eagles have
competed as a cheer program for 12 years.

"I am thrilled and
it just means so much," DeJonge said.
"It's going to encourage younger kids to become interested and I'm just
so proud of the girls."

Grand Rapids Christian
had extra incentive this season after a disappointing outcome a year ago. The
Eagles barely missed qualifying by less than a point, settling for third.

The top two teams at regionals earn automatic berths.

"That was a learning
experience for them and it gave them a goal for this year," said DeJonge, who was named Regional Coach of the Year.
"They were so close last year and because of that experience they set
their goal immediately."

At regionals,
Kenowa Hills rallied late to win regionals after a
sluggish beginning.

"We had a rough
start in round 1 and were 14.5 points behind everyone," Looks said.
"But we came back strong in Round 2 with 16 tucks on the floor. And then
we had an almost flawless Round 3 where the girls brought amazing vocals and
spirit. To come so far from behind and win it was amazing."

Both teams enter the
state finals with young squads. Kenowa Hills has one senior, and Grand Rapids
Christian has three seniors.

While the teams have no
prior experience in the finals, the main goal for both is to enjoy
themselves.

"I want them to have
fun," DeJonge said. "I'm not going to put
a lot of pressure on them. We want to have a peak performance and be relaxed
and show everyone why we are there."

Added Looks: "We
hope to go Saturday and have a great time. It's a dream just to go to state
so we are going to the best we can and be happy where ever we place."

Competitive cheer
championships

What: MHSAA state finals

Where: The DeltaPlex

When: Division 1 at 6
p.m. Friday, Division 2 at 10 a.m. Saturday, Division 3 at 2 p.m. Saturday,
Division 4 at 6 p.m. Saturday.

Local teams competing:
Division 1: East Kentwood, Grandville; Division 2: Kenowa Hills, Grand Rapids
Christian; Division 3: Comstock
Park

Tickets: $6