Tough conference proves a challenge

Thursday,
January 13, 2005By Dean Holzwarth

The Grand Rapids Press

HUDSONVILLE -- Respect
within its own conference is one thing the Hudsonville competitive cheer team
already has gained in the last three years.

Competitiveness is one
thing they're still striving for.

Since becoming an
official varsity sport three years ago, the Eagles and coach Laura Kambestad
have established themselves as a program on the rise.

The only problem is they
compete in arguably the most difficult conference in the state.

"We've been trying
to make some gains and we have, but we are in by far the toughest conference
in the state," Kambestad said.

Striving to get better

"We have four teams
from our conference that go to state every year out of 10 teams in the entire
state.

Some day we will beat
them and we'll continue to strive to get to the level they are at."

The OK Conference Tier 1
was well represented at last season's state finals as four teams placed in
the top ten.

Grandville was crowned
state champion, while East Kentwood was
runner-up. West Ottawa was fifth and Jenison
was seventh.

Hudsonville placed 7th in
the conference out of 11 teams and fifth at regionals
last season and an upward march is expected with the return of 10 seniors.

"We have a lot of
experience back and we would like to place higher in the conference this
year," Kambestad said.

The Eagles kicked off the
new season last Saturday at the Grandville Invitational and placed sixth in
Class A Division 1.

They tallied a
three-round score of 606 in a field that included all of their conference
competitors.

"To place sixth out
of 12 teams was huge for us for the first competition of the season,"
Kambestad said.

"We have some things
to fix, but we set a standard and we'll try and reach higher every week."

The Eagles are paced by
the following seniors who compete in all three rounds: Patty Bykerk, Amy Kunzi, Sara Meaney, Mandi Bryker, Katie Reimink, Erica
Nelson and Heather Stockwell.

"We have a small
team, but we have girls who want to be there and they're working hard,"
Kambestad said. "This is the first year that we've been able to get all
of the possible points, plus the bonus points, so that's a big step for our
program."

The Eagles' next
competition is slated for Jan. 22 at Jenison.

© 2005 Grand Rapids Press. Used
with permission

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