Monday, March 7, 2005

Sports

Pair of cheer teams in finals

daily press & argus

There are
10 teams remaining in the Class A state competitive cheer tournament and
friendly rivals Brighton and Hartland are
two of them.

In regional
competition Saturday, Hartland racked up a three-round total of 725 points to
claim the top spot, while Brighton posted
699.5 points and finished in second place.

"We
felt like we (had a good chance to qualify for states)," Hartland coach
Paula Cunningham said. "We're definitely excited to be going to states
and we're excited that Brighton is going
with us."

The Class A
state meet will be held March 12 at Grand
Rapids.

On Saturday,
Hartland posted a first-round score of 193, a second-round score of 219.5 and
a third-round score of 312.5.

Cunningham
said that although the Eagles are happy to be moving on, it's going to be a
busy and strenuous week.

"We're
going to be working hard this week to make sure we clean up all three
rounds," Cunningham said. "We're definitely going to work on the
timing of our jumps and the timing of our skills. In round three the focus
will be making all the stunts stick."

Brighton had a shaky second round, according to
coach Kim Klaus and eventual third-place finisher Mason was threatening, but
the Bulldogs rebounded with a stellar third round. Mason posted a score of
658.5.

Brighton's third-round score of 305 was their
highest all season in that round and Klaus was delighted with the way her
team responded to a little adversity.

"(The
third round) was nice because they had a little pressure on them to show what
they could come up with," Klaus said. "They really showed they
wanted it."

Brighton senior Ashley Clarke said the Bulldogs felt
no pressure entering the final round.

"We
were all very confident," Clarke said. "None of us were even
nervous. We were aggressive with it. We just said, 'We are going to do this.'

None of the
current Bulldogs have ever competed at the state meet and Klaus said the team
is thrilled with the opportunity. It makes it all the more satisfying that
another Kensington Valley Conference team will join them.

"It's
nice to be able to share it with somebody, especially when the (Brighton and Hartland) kids have such great
camaraderie," Klaus said. "They've been close all year as far as
supporting each other."

After four
years of hard work, Clarke is finally finding out what she and the other
seniors have been striving to achieve.

"As
soon as they announced that we were the second team going to states we all
just got up a screamed," Clarke said. "It was the best feeling to
know that we were going. This is what I worked for for
four years."

The goal
now for Hartland is to compete for a state title. If the Eagles fall short,
however, they hope to find themselves near the top.

"We're
hoping to finish in the top half," Cunningham said. "It's the best
of the best that's there. We're going to work for it all. We would love to be
the state champs, but just to be there is an honor."

The
Bulldogs will spend the week leading up to the state finals tweaking their
second round in an effort to have a stronger showing. Brighton
had a good week of practice prior to the regional meet and Klaus knows the
Bulldogs will need more of the same in preparation for the state meet.

"I
don't want to change too much because they're at the point where they've got
to nail their rounds and I want them to feel confident," Klaus said.
"Perfect practice makes a perfect performance, not the other way
around."