Performance at invitational cheers Comstock Park

Thursday,
December 16, 2004By Dean Holzwarth

The Grand Rapids Press

COMSTOCK PARK -- When the
Competitive Cheer Coaches Association of Michigan Invitational is held every
December, it's usually deemed as the unofficial beginning of a new season.

It's a meet that Comstock
Park High School hosts and it always gives coach Kathy Felty an early look of
what is to be expected from her team.

"It's great to be
able to compete at least once in December," Felty said. "It forces
you to be ready early and it gives you a chance to look at what changes have
to happen between now and the conference finals."

If Saturday's event is an
indication of future success then the Panthers should be fine after a strong
debut.

Comstock Park placed fifth in Pool C with a
three-round tally of 613.5 among a group of the area's toughest teams.

Defending Class A state
champ Grandville clinched the title, while East Kentwood and West Ottawa placed runner-up and third, respectively.

"I thought as a team
the girls did awesome for the first time out," Felty said. "I was
happy with our performances in all three rounds and I was happy with how the
whole day went."

The CCAM Invitational
attracted a massive crowd, with an estimated 1,000 people on hand. In its
fifth year, the invitational raises money for scholarships for high school
seniors.

Last season, two
competitions raised $6,000 and 12 $500 scholarships were given out.

"It was a great
turnout and I think we had a record number," Felty said.
"Everything we raise goes to scholarships and we're hoping to match what
we gave out last year."

Experience is on the side
of the Panthers this season as they set their sights on another conference
title.

They've won five of the
last six Tier 3 championships and boast a veteran squad with 11 returners from last year.

The six seniors on the
roster include Sarah Uzarski, Brenda Reams, Genesis
Crow, Ashley Erickson, Samantha Murphy and Amanda Sellars.

The senior nucleus mixes
with a talented core of five sophomores and two juniors.

"There's a lot of
talent and experience on this team and there are high expectations for
them," Felty said. "They have a lot of heart, desire and drive and
they work hard."

While conference success
has been plentiful, the Panthers are still trying to break though at regionals.

They've made one state
finals appearance -- in 2002 -- in the last five years, and placed third at
last year's regional competition.

"I think the
ultimate goal is to win your conference, but you always want to perform well
at regionals and qualify for state," Felty
said. "I think reaching state is a realistic goal."

© 2004 Grand Rapids Press.
Used with permission

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