Grandville wins own competitive cheer invitational

By Dean Holzworth, January 10, 2009

Grandville's Kelsey VanderWiere,
center, performs with her teammates. - (Press
Photo/Paul L. Newby II

GRANDVILLE --
As the final scores were announced at Saturday's Grandville Invitational, the
host Bulldogs were the only team not seated on a crowded mat in the middle of
the gymnasium.

It was ironic, considering Grandville ruled
the mat in claiming first-place accolades in Division 1.

The Bulldogs were victorious in a competitive
division that featured six of the top 10 teams in the state. They tallied a
three-round score of 801.237 to edge runner-up West Ottawa (796.894) and
third-place Rochester Stoney Creek (796.894).

"This was awesome," Grandville
senior Sarah Datema said.

"We really pulled together as a team
today and really stepped it up. We were excited to show everyone what we
could do."

Grandville, ranked No. 3 in Division 1 in the
first state rankings, put the pressure on early with high scores in the
opening two rounds.

The Bulldogs posted 235.5 points in round one,
and followed with a score of 250.9 in round two.

"I really think that doing well in those
rounds is going to be key for us," Grandville
coach Julie Smith-Boyd said. "It's all three rounds, not just the third
round, and I'm really excited because I'm seeing big growth. Our leaders are
coming through."

The Bulldogs are attempting to live up to lofty
expectations after winning a Division 1 state title last season. They capped
off a successful week, which included a victory at the O-K Red Pre-Conference
Tournament.

"We have a lot to live up to, and I think
it was important for us to show our home crowd that we can do it,"
Grandville senior Kelsey Byxbe said.

West Ottawa produced a
near-flawless round three routine. The Panthers recorded a season-high 323 to
nip Stoney Creek for second place.

"I was very excited because that was the
highest round three I've ever had as a coach," Panthers coach Kristine
Brandt said. "We were seven points away from a perfect round three, so
it was awesome. I was so proud of them."

West Ottawa entered the meet
ranked 10th in Division 1.

"A lot of teams from our conference and
region were here, so it was good to compete against them and know that we
have the ability to beat them," Brandt said. "We just want to
continue on our path to districts and regionals."

Twenty-one teams competed in four divisions.

Calvin Christian (520.540) took first against
Montague and Climax-Scotts in Division 4.

Mount Pleasant (725.157) topped the
field in Division 2, and defending state champion Chippewa Hills (713.943)
won the Division 3 title.