Knights
polishing their cheer armor

Thursday,
January 12, 2006

By Jeff
Chaney

The Grand Rapids Press

First-year Kenowa Hills competitive
cheer coach Brenda Looks has walked into a pretty nice situation.

That's because she inherits a team
from former coach Mary Hurt that is loaded with experience and talent.

The Knights have eight seniors and
10 juniors on a team of 21.

"I
have a very talented team," Looks said. "We have a lot of returning
athletes, with some very strong seniors and juniors. It has been easy for me
because we have so much experience on the team. It has been a very easy
transition."

Senior captain Katie Klein agrees
the transition has been smooth one, all except for learning some new twist.

"We have a pretty experienced
team," Klein said. "A lot of the seniors have been on the team
since we were freshmen. It has been a little difficult with the adjustment
because we have had coach Hurt since we are freshman. Coach Looks is doing a
good job, we just have had to be flexible to get used to her style, and we
are now."

Besides Klein, the other seniors
are Whitney Schmidt, Jenny Host, Melissa VanZee,
Erica Haney, Natalie DeVries, Kayla Sandee and Brittany Arsulowicz.

All the experience and talent was
evident Saturday when the Knights competed at the Grandville Invitational, a
tournament that had most of the top teams from West
Michigan competing.

Kenowa Hills came in fifth of the
10 Class A schools.

"It was a very tough
meet," Looks said. "There were a lot of top teams like Granville,
West Ottawa and East Kentwood and I was very
happy because we improved on our scores. And our scores keep improving, so I
am very encouraged. I think we are going to have a great year."

So does Klein.

"This year I think we can go
all the way," Klein said. "I think we can be conference champs and
go to state. With this team we can do it, because we have a lot of talent and
experience."

Last year, the Knights missed the
state meet, finishing fourth at regionals, with the
top two teams qualifying.

"We are looking to finish high
in the conference," Looks said. "And hopefully we can qualify for
the state finals."

Kenowa Hills is in action Saturday
at the Gull Lake Invitational.