Panthers
place seventh at cheer state finals

Leo Martonosi | March 7,
2009

Grand Rapids, MI —

The West Ottawa competitive cheer
team finished seventh at the Division 1 state finals Saturday.

The Panthers were in
great shape after two rounds but came up a little short in round 3 in its bid
to place in the top four. They finished with a three-round total of 784.6304.

“Even though the
girls are a little disappointed, we did well,” West Ottawa
coach Kristine Brandt. “Our scores were pretty consistent to
what they’ve been all year.”

Rochester repeated as state
champion with a total score of 811.2480. Rochester clinched the victory
with a final round score of 312.4000.

Grandville came in
second overall at 806.0352, while East Kentwood placed third with a
total of 802.6544. Both are O-K Red Conference schools like West Ottawa.

West Ottawa did more than well
after the first two rounds.

“Unfortunately
some things can happen,” said West Ottawa senior Erin McGovern.
“But I’m really proud of what we’ve done this year.”

The Panthers had a
strong effort in Round 1 with 227.9000 points.

Only Rochester (233.8000),
Grandville (233.2000), Sterling Heights Stevenson (228.8000) and East Kentwood (228.3000) had higher
scores.

The Panthers also had
the fourth best second round score of 251.3304.

Rochester led all Round 2
scorers at 254.0480. Grandville followed at 252.2352,
and East Kentwood at 251.6544.

Southgate Anderson
(788.7856) and Rochester Stoney Creek (787.3672) finished ahead of West Ottawa.

West Ottawa mustered a Round 3
305.4000 score and a seventh place Lake Orion came in eighth with a
783.6872 effort.

“Being here was
an amazing experience,” West Ottawa junior Sarah Fuglseth said. “I think the experience of being
here will really help us next year.”

Brandt agreed.

“The girls coming back will
be more determined than ever,” she said.