Cheer Finals: Familiar Favorites Return
March 1, 2012
The MHSAA Competitive Cheer finals annually are among the association's best-attended championships.
And a number of this season's contenders are regulars at the Grand Rapids Delta Plex.
Nine of 32 finalists have won a combined 37 MHSAA championships -- out of 63 total -- and five more finalists have finished at least runner-up.
That said, there are plenty of opportunities for new winnters this weekend. Eighteen of this weekend's finalists have never won an MHSAA cheer title.
Below is a quick rundown of all 32 finalists. Division 1 will be contested at 6 p.m. today, with Division 2 at 10 a.m. Saturday followed by Division 4 at 2 p.m. and Division 3 at 6 p.m. Click for Finals rotations and scores as they come in, and watch live on MHSAA.tv.
Division 1
EAST KENTWOOD
Rank: No. 6
League finish: First in O-K Red
Coach: Stacy Sheler, 10th season
Championship history: Two runner-up finishes (most recently 2010).
Top score: 810.1296 (District)
Team composition: 27 total (six seniors, seven juniors, nine sophomores, five freshmen).
Outlook: East Kentwood broke 800 points three times this season, and finished second at its District with that top score. The Falcons have finished MHSAA runner-up twice under Sheler, and peaked at No. 5 in the Division 1 poll this season. Senior Hannah McDonough earned an all-state honorable mention in 2011 after East Kentwood finished third, less than a point from claiming the title.
HARTLAND
Rank: No. 1
League finish: First in Kensington Lakes Activities Association
Coach: Amanda Adkins, first season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 804.720 (Regional)
Team composition: 27 total (five seniors, six juniors, nine sophomores, seven freshmen)
Outlook: The Eagles were ranked among the top 10 all season, but shot up from No. 10 to the top spot in the final poll and went on to win their District and Regional. Hartland has come on strong at the end, with its five highest scores – all above 789 – coming in its five most recent events.
HUDSONVILLE
Rank: No. 2
League finish: Second in O-K Red
Coach: Amanda Cooper, seventh season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 810.0744
Team composition: 31 total (eight seniors, 14 juniors, seven sophomores, two freshmen).
Outlook: Like Hartland, Hudsonville moved up to its highest ranking in the final poll, and after a fourth-place finish at its District rebounded to finish runner-up at the Regional. The Eagles haven’t scored lower than 801 in their last seven events. Hudsonville finished eighth at the 2011 Final.
GRANDVILLE
Rank: Unranked
League finish: Fourth in O-K Red
Coach: Julie Smith-Boyd, 31st season
Championship history: Five MHSAA titles (most recently 2011), seven runner-up finishes.
Top score: 810.60 (District)
Team composition: 28 total (five seniors, 10 juniors, four sophomores, nine freshmen).
Outlook: A number of top contributors from last season’s MHSAA championship team will be part of the line-up again tonight. Senior Ashley Dykstra is a returning all-stater, while seniors Erin Kishman and Katelyn Schafer made the second team in 2011 and juniors Karlie Fisher and Amanda LaRue earned honorable mentions. Grandville won three of its first five events this winter – and came on again at the end with a District championship.
LAKE ORION
Rank: No. 9
League finish: Third in Oakland Activities Association Red
Co-coaches: Nancy de Avila and Nicole Perryman, 10th seasons
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 808.0352 (Regional)
Team composition: 34 total (10 seniors, 10 juniors, eight sophomores, six freshmen).
Outlook: After finishing fifth at the 2011 Final, Lake Orion has been among the top 10 all season and as high as No. 4. The Dragons twice scored more than 800 points, with the Regional score good for a fourth-place finish.
ROCHESTER
Rank: No. 3
League finish: First in Oakland Activities Association Red
Coach: Susan Wood, 31st season
Championship history: 12 MHSAA titles (most recently 2009), three runner-up finishes.
Top score: 811.7296 (Regional)
Team composition: 34 total (15 seniors, 13 juniors, three sophomores, three freshmen).
Outlook: Rochester has been a dynasty under Wood, who at one point led the Falcons to five straight MHSAA championships and more recently two in the last five seasons, with a runner-up finish in between. The upperclassmen-heavy team has scored 808 or better in two of its last three events.
ROCHESTER HILLS STONEY CREEK
Rank: No. 10
League finish: Second in Oakland Activities Association Red
Coach: Tricia Williams, ninth season
Championship history: Won MHSAA title in 2010.
Top score: 815.7936 (Regional)
Team composition: 23 total (seven seniors, nine juniors, seven sophomores).
Outlook: Williams has led Stoney Creek to three straight top-two finishes in the highly-competitive OAA Red. The Cougars’ other score above 800 this winter came in winning the Lake Orion Invitational, before they also won the Regional. Senior Carly Pascaretta made the all-state second team last season, when Stoney Creek finished sixth in Division 1.
SOUTHGATE ANDERSON
Rank: No. 5
League finish: First in Downriver League
Coach: Colette Norscia, 13th season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 816.5104
Team composition: 27 total (nine seniors, three juniors, 10 sophomores, five freshmen).
Outlook: Southgate Anderson won five of its 10 events this season, including its District, and also finished second at its Regional. The Titans have scored 803 or more points five times. Southgate Anderson finished seventh at last season’s Division 1 Final.
Division 2
ALLEN PARK
Rank: No. 3
League finish: Third in Downriver Conference
Coach: Laura Hickman, first season
Championship history: Won MHSAA title in 2010, one runner-up finish.
Top score: 781.492 (District)
Team composition: 24 total (seven juniors, eight sophomores, nine freshmen).
Outlook: Coming off last season’s third-place Finals finish, Allen Park finished second in five events – including its Regional – this winter, and won a sixth. Perhaps the best evidence of the Jaguars’ consistency is that they never finished lower than fourth. Junior Madison Horvath earned an all-state honorable mention last season.
BYRON CENTER
Rank: No. 10
League finish: First in O-K Green
Co-coaches: Kelli Saunders, 11th season; Amy Hass, 14th season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 757.408 (Regional)
Team composition: 16 total (nine seniors, four juniors, three sophomores).
Outlook: Byron Center’s top five scores have come in its last five events – with all above 730 points – and including a third place at the District and runner-up finish at the Regional. Byron Center has won three straight league championships and four over the last five seasons.
DEWITT
Rank: No. 8
League finish: First in Capital Area Activities Conference Red
Coach: Candace Heskitt, fourth season
Championship history: Finished runner-up in 2007.
Top score: 764.4076 (Regional)
Team composition: 22 total (nine seniors, eight juniors, two sophomores, three freshmen).
Outlook: DeWitt has won eight of 11 events this season, including its last five, and posted an impressive second place at the Grandville Invitational. The Panthers have scored 755 or higher in their last three meets. DeWitt made one of the biggest jumps during the postseason after ranking no higher than No. 7 in the state polls.
DEARBORN DIVINE CHILD
Rank: No. 2
League finish: First in Detroit Catholic High School League
Coach: Amber Genevich, seventh season
Championship history: Finished runner-up in 2011.
Top score: 803.8728
Team composition: 24 total (six seniors, seven juniors, seven sophomores, four freshmen).
Outlook: Divine Child was ranked No. 2 all season except for a week when it tied for the top spot. Aside from a third place at the Regional, Divine Child finished first or second in all of its events this season and never scored fewer than 736 points. Senior Kendall McCausland made the all-state second team last season, and seniors Alexa Zakarian and Shae Lawson earned honorable mentions.
GIBRALTAR CARLSON
Rank: No. 1
League finish: Second in Downriver League
Coach: Christina Wilson, sixth season
Championship history: Four MHSAA titles (most recently 2011), four runner-up finishes
Top score: 809.3456 (District)
Team composition: 25 total (nine seniors, five juniors, six sophomores, five freshmen).
Outlook: No team has equaled Gibraltar Carlson’s recent success – it won Division 2 titles in 2011, 2009 and 2008 and was runner-up in 2010. The Marauders won all of their events this season except for the Downriver League Meet, where they finished second to Division 1 Final qualifier Southgate Anderson. Carlson has scored 800 or more points six times, and no fewer than 769. A number of top contributors from last season will compete this weekend: seniors Paige Arrington, Kim Desimpelaere and Courtney Gibson are returning all-state first teamers, senior Alisha Hixson and junior Ann Hajec made the second team last season and senior Carly Williams and junior Whitney Wasielewski earned honorable mentions.
GRAND RAPIDS KENOWA HILLS
Rank: No. 5
League finish: First in O-K Black/White
Coach: Chris Hudson, second season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 749
Team composition: 21 total (five seniors, five juniors, five sophomores, six freshmen).
Outlook: Kenowa Hills is back at the Finals after finishing eighth in Division 2 last season. Aside from a fourth place at the Regional, the Knights finished first or second at all of their events this season. They’ve scored 745 or more in four of their last five meets.
MIDDLEVILLE THORNAPPLE KELLOGG
Rank: Unranked
League finish: First in O-K Gold
Coach: Abby Kanitz, fifth season
Championship history: Seeking its first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 752.496 (Regional)
Team composition: 22 total (three seniors, seven juniors, eight sophomores, four freshmen).
Outlook: Thornapple Kellogg started among the ranked before falling out of the poll for the final four weeks of the regular season. But the Trojans came back to finish second in their District and third at their Regional with two of their top three scores this season. And they should continue to improve with more than half of the roster made up of underclassmen.
ORTONVILLE BRANDON
Rank: No. 4
League finish: First in Flint Metro League
Coach: Jamie Slot, ninth season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 782.839
Team composition: 20 total (three seniors, seven juniors, five sophomores, five freshmen).
Outlook: Ortonville Brandon opened fourth in the state poll and ended in that spot, but was No. 3 every week in between. The Blackhawks strung together three straight finishes of at least 780 points midway through the season, and won seven of 12 events this winter. Ortonville Brandon finished fifth at last season’s Final. Juniors Hanna Foster and Alanna Carpenter made the all-state second team, and junior Rachel Neal earned an honorable mention.
Division 3
BROOKLYN COLUMBIA CENTRAL
Rank: No. 9
League finish: First in Southern Michigan Activities Association
Coach: Jen Poniatowski, second season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 733.085
Team composition: 21 total (five seniors, four juniors, seven sophomores, five freshmen).
Outlook: Columbia Central swept the SMAA meets and finished first at five more events before taking second at the District and fourth at the Regional. That top score came at the Mason Invitational, but the Golden Eagles came close last week with a 727.588.
COMSTOCK PARK
Rank: No. 2
League finish: First in O-K Blue
Coach: Kathy Felty, 19th season
Championship history: Two MHSAA titles (most recently 2011), two runner-up finishes.
Top score: 756.824
Team composition: 23 total (five seniors, eight juniors, five sophomores, five freshmen).
Outlook: Comstock Park has won both of its titles and posted its two runner-up finishes all over the last four seasons. The Panthers won all but one of their events this season, and scored at least 713 points in all but one as well. Junior Emily Geraghty made the all-state first team last season, and seniors Hannah Vos and Katie Howard earned honorable mentions.
GLADSTONE
Rank: Unranked
League finish: First in Great Northern Conference
Co-coaches: Hannah Dale and Carrie Muse-Mead, fifth seasons
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 721
Team composition: 19 total (six seniors, three juniors, six sophomores, four freshmen).
Outlook: The Braves finished fifth at the Division 3 Final last season and were ranked in three of the first four state polls before falling out for the final three. But they dominated especially in the Upper Peninsula before taking second at their District and fourth at their Regional. Senior Laura Alexander made the all-state second team last season, and seniors Hunter Gosewehr and Halie Marmalick earned honorable mentions.
GROSSE ILE
Rank: No. 5
League finish: First in Huron League
Coach: Jayme Judd, second season
Championship history: Two MHSAA titles (most recently 2010), one runner-up finish.
Top score: 752.8328
Team composition: 18 total (three seniors, four juniors, seven sophomores, four freshmen).
Outlook: Seniors Christine Bonamici and Allie Lowler earned all-state honorable mentions last season after helped Grosse Ile to a fourth-place finish in its first Finals appearance under Judd. The Devils have scored at least 718 points in six straight meets and finished at least third in all their events this season – including eight wins.
MIDLAND BULLOCK CREEK
Rank: No. 10
League finish: Second in Tri-Valley Conference West
Coach: Teresa Allen, fourth season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 728.3704
Team composition: 11 total (five seniors, two juniors, three sophomores, one freshman).
Outlook: Bullock Creek finished first or second at all of its events this season before taking third at both its District and Regional – although the Lancers posted the best Round 1 score at the District and second-best Round 3 at the Regional. After finishing second in its division of the TVC, Bullock Creek won the all-conference championship.
PAW PAW
Rank: No. 6
League finish: First in Wolverine Conference
Coach: Stefanie Miller, third season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 733.574 (Regional)
Team composition: 21 total (two seniors, three juniors, eight sophomores, eight freshmen).
Outlook: Despite a roster of more than 75 percent underclassmen, Paw Paw has been one of the most consistently strong teams in Division 3 this season. The Redskins scored at least 702 points in 10 of 13 events – the first time in their second meet. They won nine of those meets and posted that top score finishing second at the Regional. Junior Kaleigh Davies made the all-state second team, and junior Tracy Simpkins earned honorable mention as the team finished eighth at last season’s Final.
PONTIAC NOTRE DAME
Rank: No. 3
League finish: Second in Detroit Catholic High School League
Coach: Rachel Woolbright, fifth season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 769.100 (District)
Team composition: 25 total (three seniors, eight juniors, six sophomores, eight freshmen).
Outlook: Notre Dame’s second place finishes this season are a little deceiving – the Fighting Irish posted two of their top three scores as runners-up at the District and Regional, both times to top-ranked Richmond. The Irish also finished second in the Catholic League to Division 2 Final contender Dearborn Divine Child. Notre Dame Prep was third at last season’s Division 3 Final, with senior Julie Pieciak making the all-state first team, senior Gabby Guzzardo making the second and juniors Hannah Genord and Emily Rodriguez earning honorable mentions.
RICHMOND
Rank: No. 1
League finish: First in Blue Water Area Conference
Coach: Kelli Matthes, fourth season
Championship history: Finished runner-up in 2011.
Top score: 800.662
Team composition: 21 total (three seniors, eight juniors, seven sophomores, three freshmen).
Outlook: Richmond’s top score this season would rank third among Division 2 finalists, and the Blue Devils have been putting those numbers up all season – they’ve not scored fewer than 730 points and have broken 793 four times in winning all of their events. Many of the top contributors are back after the team posted its top Finals finish ever last season – senior Alana Timmerman and junior Alyssa Brickel made the all-state first team, juniors Ashley Barrett and Chelsea Wolfe made the second and junior Joanna Fenwick earned an honorable mention.
Division 4
HART
Rank: No. 6
League finish: Tied for first in West Michigan Conference
Coach: Jennifer Peterson, fifth season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 726.100 (Regional)
Team composition: Eight total (one senior, four juniors, two sophomores, one freshman).
Outlook: Hart opened this season with eight straight first places and has broken 707 points five times, including three of its last five events. The Pirates finished second to Merrill at both the District and the Regional, but missed winning the latter by 27 hundredths of a point.
HUDSON
Rank: No. 5
League finish: Second in Lenawee County Athletic Association
Coach: Kelly Bailey, 15th season
Championship history: Four runner-up finishes (most recently 2010).
Top score: 743.804 (District)
Team composition: 12 total (four seniors, three juniors, three sophomores, two freshmen).
Outlook: Hudson finished runner-up three straight seasons before taking fifth at last season’s Final. But junior Payton Darr made the all-state first team and junior Amanda Rodriguez earned an honorable mention, and they are among leaders for a squad that surged at the end of this season. The Tigers won their District and finished third at their Regional, and have scored at least 707 points in their last three events.
IRON MOUNTAIN
Rank: No. 10
League finish: Does not compete in a league.
Coach: Jennifer Nagy-Schneider, third season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 724.1724 (District)
Team composition: 10 total (five juniors, two sophomores, three freshmen).
Outlook: Iron Mountain has broken 700 points in each of its last three meets and won a District championship. The Mountaineers were ranked in the last five state polls and peaked at the No. 5 spot. They’ve scored below 680 only twice, and always 654 or higher.
MERRILL
Rank: No. 3
League finish: First in Tri-Valley Conference West
Coach: Courtney Schiller, eighth season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 727.18
Team composition: Seven total (one senior, five sophomores, one freshman).
Outlook: Although few in number and nearly all underclassmen, the Vandals ranked among the top three in the final five polls before winning both their District and Regional. Sophomore Alanna Peake earned an all-state honorable mention after Merrill finished sixth at last season’s Final. The Vandals have scored at least 711 points eight times this season, and won all but two of their meets – finishing runner-up at those.
MICHIGAN CENTER
Rank: No. 1
League finish: First in Cascades Conference
Coach: Jessica Trefry, 11th season
Championship history: Two MHSAA titles (most recently 2011).
Top score: 776.9064
Team composition: 17 total (nine seniors, three juniors, five sophomores).
Outlook: Michigan Center has been ranked No. 1 all season, beat No. 2 Pewamo-Westphalia at both the District and Regional, and is a the heavy favorite to win a second-straight Final and third in four seasons. Most of last season’s championship team is back, and the Cardinals have broken 745 points six times. Seniors Michaela Haller, Emma Stark, Taylor Dodge, Betsy Palacios and Paula Stone all made the all-state first team last season, while junior Megan Shown and seniors Tayler Padelt and Nicole Fosgate made the second and senior Tabitha Sherwood earned an honorable mention.
PEWAMO-WESTPHALIA
Rank: No. 2
League finish: Does not compete in a league.
Coach: Staci Myers, fifth season
Championship history: Eight MHSAA titles (most recently 2010), seven runner-up finishes.
Top score: 744.2012
Team composition: Eight total (two seniors, one junior, five freshmen).
Outlook: P-W would be considered Division 4’s dynasty, with two championships and two runner-up finishes over the last five seasons – including a second place in 2011. This is one of the Pirates’ younger teams – but junior Brianne Schafer made the all-state second team and seniors Alissa Klein and Amanda Simon earned honorable mentions last season. P-W finished first or second at all of its events this winter.
SHELBY
Rank: No. 7
League finish: Tied for first in West Michigan Conference
Coach: Penny Grinage-Guy, 14th season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 706.958
Team composition: 16 total (12 seniors, four juniors).
Outlook: Shelby has battled tough competition all season – it split a league title with Division 4 finalist Hart, plus competed in the same District and Regional as the Pirates. The league title was Shelby’s eighth straight, and only Division 1 Rochester will bring more seniors to the Finals.
SPRINGPORT
Rank: Unranked
League finish: Second in Big 8 Conference
Coach: Maxie Ward, third season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 716.760 (Regional)
Team composition: 11 total (four seniors, five juniors, two sophomores).
Outlook: Springport might be the biggest surprise among finalists because it wasn’t ranked this season. But the Spartans are regular contenders in the Big 8, most recently winning that league in 2010 and claiming that championship meet this winter with a score of 696.420. Springport’s top three scores have come during its last four meets.
Preview: Rivalries Ready to Reignite, Historic Opportunities Await at CMU
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
February 27, 2025
All of the rivalries that annually reignite at the MHSAA Competitive Cheer Finals are expected to do so again, with the Rochester schools battling in Division 1, Allen Park and Gibraltar Carlson among favorites in Division 2, and Pontiac Notre Dame Prep and Richmond back among the top-ranked in Division 3.
But several eyes will be watching the state’s smallest schools as they chase historic opportunities – amid perhaps the most wide-open race – in Division 4.
Hudson has won five straight Division 4 titles, and a sixth would tie the MHSAA record set by Carlson from 2011-16. But the Tigers are up against a high-scoring field that includes another of the all-time winningest champs in Pewamo-Westphalia and six teams all seeking their first title.
Among other Division 4 hopefuls are Coloma and Marion, both making their first Finals appearances, as is Zeeland West in Division 2.
Division 4 leads off the weekend at 2 p.m. Friday at Central Michigan University’s McGuirk Arena, followed by Division 1 at 6:30 p.m. Division 3 starts Saturday’s competitions at 11 a.m., with Division 2 finishing the weekend at 3:30 p.m. The full schedule, plus information on purchasing tickets and how to watch online are all available on the Competitive Cheer page of MHSAA.com.
Division 1
BRIGHTON
Ranking: No. 3
League finish: First in Kensington Lakes Activities Association West
Coach: Christine Wilson-Peacock, 13th season
Championship history: Class A runner-up 1999.
Top score: 788.80.
Team composition: 21 total (six seniors, six juniors, seven sophomores, two freshmen).
Outlook: Brighton finished sixth last season and fourth in 2023, and has finished first or second at all but one of its competitions this season with runner-up finishes at both its District and Regional. The Bulldogs have been remarkably consistent scoring between 787-788 points in four straight competitions and six of their last seven. Senior Kadyn Robertson earned all-Regional recognition last season, and senior Adrianna Pembroke earned all-state honorable mention in 2023.
GRANDVILLE
Ranking: No. 7
League finish: First in Ottawa-Kent Conference Red
Coach: Julie Smith-Boyd, 44th season
Championship history: Six MHSAA titles (most recent 2015), 10 runner-up finishes.
Top score: 789.08 at Regional.
Team composition: 24 (three seniors, eight juniors, six sophomores, seven freshmen).
Outlook: The Bulldogs graduated 17 from the team that finished eighth a year ago, but they haven’t slowed down. Grandville has finished first or second at all but two competitions this season and has won five straight and seven of its last eight. The Bulldogs are trending in the right direction on the scoresheet as well, posting their top two overall scores this season in claiming District and Regional titles. Juniors Maddy Denman, Olivia Talsma and Lauren Elder and senior Ava Wohlfert earned all-District recognition last season.
HARTLAND
Ranking: No. 5
League finish: Second in KLAA West
Coach: Candace Fahr, eighth season
Championship history: Division 1 runner-up 2013.
Top score: 790.46.
Team composition: 24 total (seven seniors, seven juniors, five sophomores, five freshmen).
Outlook: Hartland is back after finishing fourth at last year’s Final for the second time over the last three seasons. The Eagles finished first or second in all of their competitions this winter before placing third at their Regional, but their Regional score of 787.34 also was their third-highest this season after breaking 790 twice. Senior Makayla Prevo made the all-state first team last season, and senior Charleigh Ross made the second team.
MACOMB DAKOTA
Rank: No. 8
League finish: First in Macomb Area Conference Red
Coach: Michela Worthy, 23rd season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two MHSAA Finals finish.
Top score: 786.48 at Regional.
Team composition: 27 total (seven seniors, 11 juniors, five sophomores, four freshmen).
Outlook: Dakota is returning to the Finals for the first time since 2014, posting its top two scores this season in winning its District and then finishing fourth at its Regional. The Cougars followed at the Regional three of the top-four ranked teams in Division 1 and finished ahead of No. 6 Utica Eisenhower, No. 9 Macomb L’Anse Creuse North and No. 10 Wyandotte Roosevelt to qualify. Senior Ashley Pioch and sophomore Nicole Nehra earned all-District recognition in 2024.
ROCHESTER
Ranking: No. 1
League finish: First in Oakland Activities Association Red
Coach: Samantha Dean, third season
Championship history: 15 MHSAA titles (most recent 2023).
Top score: 793.68.
Team composition: 28 total (10 seniors, 10 juniors, eight sophomores).
Outlook: Rochester finished third last season, and a large group of juniors has become a sizable senior crew that has the Falcons arguably the favorites again. Rochester won all of its competitions before finishing second at its Regional and has scored at least 790 points in seven straight competitions. Seniors Natalia Grabovac and Isabella Gungab made the all-state second team last season, and senior Morgan Calcagno and junior Claire O’Neill earned honorable mentions. Senior Aubrey Hillard made the all-state second team in 2023.
ROCHESTER ADAMS
Ranking: No. 4
League finish: Third in OAA Red
Coach: Brooke Miller, 11th season
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 2022), five runner-up finishes.
Top score: 792.76 at Regional.
Team composition: 26 total (six seniors, 13 juniors, five sophomores, two freshmen).
Outlook: Adams has finished Finals runner-up two straight seasons after winning three straight titles from 2020-22, and total the Highlanders have finished among the top two in seven consecutive Finals. They may be on the verge of extending that streak with their top two scores of the season – both surpassing 792 points – coming in finishing second at their District and third at their Regional. Senior Maria Caradonna and junior Nikala Hall made the all-state second team last season, and junior Libby Schultz and sophomore Gabriella Montgomery earned honorable mentions.
ROCHESTER HILLS STONEY CREEK
Ranking: No. 2
League finish: Second in OAA Red
Coach: Tricia Williams, 22nd season
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 2024), Division 1 runner-up 2022.
Top score: 793.26 at Regional.
Team composition: 30 total (three seniors, 20 juniors, four sophomores, three freshmen).
Outlook: Reigning champion Stoney Creek made a loud statement at the Regional last week, becoming the only team to finish ahead of Rochester High in competition this winter. The Cougars have upped their top overall score this season in three straight competitions, breaking 792 twice before the Regional win by 38 hundredths of a point after posting the top-scoring routine in Round 3 to move ahead. Senior Sarah Adams made the all-state second team last season, and senior Sienna Wills and junior Natalie Marco earned honorable mentions.
ROCKFORD
Ranking: Unranked
League finish: Third in O-K Red
Coach: MeLisa Milanowski, fifth season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 780.64 at Regional.
Team composition: 23 total (10 seniors, five juniors, six sophomores, two freshmen).
Outlook: A team of nearly half seniors earned Rockford’s first trip to the Finals since 2006 and did so in dramatic fashion. The Rams finished fourth at their District with what was then a season-high score of 776.6, then buried that total by more than four points to earn the fourth-place Finals qualifying spot at the Regional. Sophomore Lila Gates earned all-District recognition last season.
Division 2
ALLEN PARK
Ranking: No. 1
League finish: First in Downriver League
Coach: Julie Goodwin, 21st season
Championship history: Six MHSAA titles (most recent 2024), five runner-up finishes.
Top score: 792.76 at District.
Team composition: 23 total (five seniors, three juniors, eight sophomores, seven freshmen).
Outlook: Allen Park has finished among the top two nine straight seasons and won four of the last five Division 2 titles. A roster of more than half underclassmen has achieved a near-perfect season, with only a second place in the Jaguars’ first competition followed by all firsts despite continuing their frequent matchups with similarly-powerful Gibraltar Carlson. Allen Park’s 785.78 at the Regional was more than seven points higher than the field. Senior Abigail Obrycki and junior Sophia Ramey made the all-state first team last season, and senior Peyton Will and sophomore Hazyl Hall earned honorable mentions.
CARLETON AIRPORT
Ranking: No. 6
League finish: First in Huron League
Coach: Emily Dusik, third season
Championship history: Division 2 runner-up 2024, Class B runner-up 2003.
Top score: 790.80.
Team composition: 23 total (two seniors, six juniors, 11 sophomores, four freshmen).
Outlook: Airport is coming off its best Finals finish in more than two decades and returns after emerging fourth from a Regional that included the top nine ranked teams in Division 2 – moving past No. 3 Fenton and No. 4 Southgate Anderson to claim the final qualifying spot. A third-highest Round 1 score at the Regional was especially impressive. Sophomore Isabella Mulvin and junior Sydney Linn made the all-state second team last season, and senior Ashleigh Bentley and junior Kadence McDonald earned honorable mentions.
CEDAR SPRINGS
Ranking: Unranked
League finish: First in River Cities Alliance
Coach: Katy Hradsky, fourth season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 750.86 at the Regional.
Team composition: 16 total (three seniors, four juniors, three sophomores, six freshmen).
Outlook: Cedar Springs returned to the Finals last season with a fifth-place finish and will attempt to build on that having posted their two highest scores this winter to win the District and finish third at the Regional – the latter with nearly a five-point jump. Junior Taylor Verduin made the all-state second team last season, and senior Sarah Buckley earned an honorable mention.
GIBRALTAR CARLSON
Ranking: No. 2
League finish: Second in Downriver League
Coach: Alyssa Tocco, fourth season
Championship history: 12 MHSAA titles (most recent 2023), seven runner-up finishes.
Top score: 795.26.
Team composition: 24 total (four seniors, three juniors, seven sophomores, 10 freshmen).
Outlook: Carlson has finished first or second at all of its competitions this season as it seeks to make another title push coming off last year’s fourth-place finish. The Marauders have scored fewer than 785 points only twice and broken 790 three times. Seniors Sofia Lanzini and Maranda Steinmetz made the all-state first team last season, while senior Haley Sanchez made the second team and senior Alaina Bucala earned an honorable mention.
MUSKEGON REETHS-PUFFER
Ranking: Unranked
League finish: Fourth in O-K Green
Coach: Lisabeth Smith, fourth season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: N/A.
Team composition: 25 total (three seniors, 10 juniors, eight sophomores, four freshmen).
Outlook: Reeths-Puffer is returning to the Finals for the second-straight season and third time in Smith’s four leading the program. The Rockets improved on their District score by more than 16 points to earn the fourth-place qualifying spot for this weekend. Junior Madilynn Smith, senior Lorena Garcia and sophomore Malia McGuffey earned all-Regional recognition last season.
PLAINWELL
Ranking: No. 10
League finish: First in Wolverine Conference
Coach: Kylie Cook, sixth season
Championship history: Class B champion 2000, Class B runner-up 2001.
Top score: 767.68 at the Regional.
Team composition: 20 total (four seniors, nine juniors, two sophomores, five freshmen).
Outlook: Plainwell finished seventh last season at its first Final since 2003, and now the Trojans will return for the second-straight season coming off league, District and Regional titles and after posting their two highest scores this winter to win the latter two meets. They’ve won nine competitions, finished second twice and lower than that only once. Seniors Danika Sayles-Devine and Abigail Stewart and juniors Ella LaPenna, Mackenzie Meert and Alivia Meninga earned all-District recognition in 2024.
WALLED LAKE WESTERN
Ranking: No. 5
League finish: Second in Lakes Valley Conference
Co-coaches: Amber Stocks, 15th season; Michelle Frey, 13th season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 788.82.
Team composition: 21 total (six seniors, seven juniors, five sophomores, three freshmen).
Outlook: Western emerged third from the same loaded Regional as Airport filled with nine ranked teams, qualifying for the Finals for the first time since 2021and after missing by just one place a year ago. The Warriors also won their District this month with a score of 786.86. Seniors Emily Beaudoin and Zahylee Cox, junior Hannah Fore and sophomores Ella Spiess and Mariana Gonzalez earned all-Regional recognition last season.
ZEELAND WEST
Ranking: Unranked
League finish: First in O-K Black
Coach: Emillie Gort, third season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 761.36 at the District.
Team composition: 22 total (five seniors, four juniors, five sophomores, eight freshmen).
Outlook: West has earned its first trip to the Finals in this sport with runner-up finishes at its District and Regional, following its season-best score at the former with a 760.14 this past weekend to advance. The Dux have finished first or second at all of their competitions this season, including wins at all three league meets. West nearly reached the Finals a year ago, finishing fifth at its Regional, and seniors Riley Howe and Jordin Robelin and junior Addysen Miller earned all-Regional recognition.
Division 3
ARMADA
Ranking: No. 4
League finish: Second in Blue Water Area Conference
Coach: Deanna Misiak, ninth season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: N/A.
Team composition: 24 total (five seniors, four juniors, three sophomores, 12 freshmen).
Outlook: Armada finished fourth last season in its first Finals trip since 2015, and returns this weekend coming off third-place finishes at its District and Regional against fields that included No. 1 Pontiac Notre Dame Prep and No. 2 Richmond – although the Tigers finished ahead of Richmond at the Regional. Armada scored an impressive 784.38 at the District and finished second in the BWAC as one of three top-10 teams in the league, including as well reigning two-time Finals champion Croswell-Lexington. Senior Alice Rhadigan made the all-state first team last season.
CHARLOTTE
Ranking: No. 9
League finish: First in Capital Area Activities Conference White
Coach: Jade Bowhall, second season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 760.44.
Team composition: 21 total (six seniors, five juniors, eight sophomores, two freshmen).
Outlook: Charlotte will make its first trip to the Finals since 2020 and has won or placed second at all but one competition this season – including a victory at its District and runner-up finish at its Regional. The Orioles have advanced to Regionals both seasons under Bowhall, and senior Brooke Tokar earned all-Regional recognition last season.
GLADSTONE
Ranking: Unranked
League finish: Does not compete in a conference.
Coach: Stacie Kitson, fourth season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 752.74
Team composition: 23 total (six seniors, three juniors, six sophomores, eight freshmen).
Outlook: Gladstone is making its first trip to the Finals since 2012, after taking third at both its District and Regional and finishing ahead of a ranked team at the latter. Kitson previously reached the Finals as both an athlete and assistant coach at Escanaba, as an athlete helping her school advance in 2016 for the first time. Senior Kristy Karl earned all-District recognition for Gladstone last season.
GROSSE ILE
Ranking: No. 3
League finish: Second in Huron League.
Coach: Angie Raithel, eighth season
Championship history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 2010), Division 3 runner-up 2009.
Top score: 780.00.
Team composition: 23 total (seven seniors, two juniors, six sophomores, eight freshmen).
Outlook: After finishing third last season and only 1.18 points off the lead, Grosse Ile could make another serious title push. The Red Devils won a District that also included No. 6 Flat Rock and No. 10 Michigan Center and then finished second at a Regional just 2.64 points behind top-ranked Notre Dame Prep and ahead of five ranked teams including No. 2 Richmond. Senior Marissa Trombley and sophomore Laynie Gratz made the all-state first team last season, seniors Virginia West and Avelinn Flynn made the second team and senior Arianna Bianchi earned an honorable mention.
HOWARD CITY TRI COUNTY
Ranking: No. 5
League finish: First in Central State Activities Association
Coach: Jennifer Laskey, 21st season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: N/A.
Team composition: 22 total (seven seniors, four juniors, two sophomores, nine freshmen).
Outlook: Tri County finished seventh last season and should bring plenty of momentum into this weekend coming off eight straight first-place finishes (and 11 in 12 competitions this season) including at its District and Regional. The Vikings won their Regional by nearly 27 points with a 760.06 – four points higher than their Finals score a year ago. Junior Briana Cheatham made the all-state first team last season, junior Jocelynn Olds made the second team and junior Violet Bellamy earned an honorable mention.
PONTIAC NOTRE DAME PREP
Ranking: No. 1
League finish: Does not compete in a conference.
Coach: Jocelyn Welsh, second season
Championship history: Five MHSAA titles (most recent 2018), five runner-up finishes.
Top score: 790.96 at the District.
Team composition: 28 total (seven seniors, six juniors, eight sophomores, seven freshmen).
Outlook: The Fighting Irish have finished Divisions 3 runners-up the last two seasons and four of the last six since completing a five-year title streak in 2018. They could start a new championship run this weekend having won all of their competitions so far this winter, including a Regional title against a fields that included No. 2 Richmond, No. 3 Grosse Ile and No. 4 Armada. Senior Grace Kinkade made the all-state first team last season, seniors Gabrielle Phillips and Paige Marlinga and junior Jenna Robin made the second team, and senior Lelia Mains and sophomore Eva Thomas earned honorable mentions.
PORTLAND
Ranking: Unranked
League finish: Third in CAAC White
Coach: Mindy Blaschka, 12th season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 730.96.
Team composition: 14 total (three seniors, four juniors, four sophomores, two freshmen).
Outlook: Portland improved to sixth place last season and will make its fourth-straight trip to the Finals after posting three of its top five overall scores of the season over the last three competitions. The Raiders have steadily improved their scores after graduating nine from last year’s team. Senior Karter Edwards earned all-Regional recognition last season.
RICHMOND
Ranking: No. 2
League finish: First in Blue Water Area Conference
Coach: Kelli Matthes, 17th season
Championship history: Six MHSAA titles (most recent 2022), five runner-up finishes.
Top score: 786.50 at the District.
Team composition: 27 total (four seniors, six juniors, seven sophomores, 10 freshmen).
Outlook: After a rare year away, Richmond is returning to the Finals and capable again of being in the championship mix with six scores over 770 points this winter. The Blue Devils have finished first or second at all of their competitions except the Regional, where they placed fourth among a field that included seven of the top 10 ranked teams. Seniors Faith Thompson and Autumn Rands, junior Ava Widmaier and sophomore Khloe Allison earned all-Regional honors in 2024.
Division 4
COLOMA
Ranking: No. 9
League finish: First in Southwestern Athletic Conference
Coach: Christin Smith, 16th season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 735.54 at the District.
Team composition: 18 total (five seniors, three juniors, six sophomores, four freshmen).
Outlook: Coloma’s run to its first Finals has included first or second places at all but one competition, including a District championship win by nearly 47 points. The Comets then placed fourth at their Regional against a field that included three more top-10 teams. Seniors Makenna Baryo, Olivia DeChant and Makenna Baker and junior Cassidy Emrath earned all-District honors last season.
GRAND RAPIDS NORTHPOINTE CHRISTIAN
Ranking: No. 6
League finish: Second in O-K Silver
Coach: Sue Smith, 12th season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 747.10 at the District.
Team composition: Nine total (three seniors, four juniors, two sophomores).
Outlook: NorthPointe will compete at the Finals for the first time since 2021 thanks to a second-place at its District and championship at its Regional against a field that included three more top-10 teams. NorthPointe won that Regional by five points after just missing making the Finals the year prior. Seniors Lindsay Ulstad, Addison Bey and Riley Paulk and junior Bella Barnett earned all-Regional honors last year.
HANOVER-HORTON
Ranking: No. 2
League finish: First in Cascades Conference
Coach: Sarah DuBois, 25th season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 768.40 at the District.
Team composition: 21 total (eight seniors, four juniors, five sophomores, four freshmen).
Outlook: Hanover-Horton finished sixth last season at its first Final, and the Comets have continued to climb this winter with nine straight overall scores of 740 or higher – after reaching 739.86 for a high score last season. Hanover-Horton has finished first or second at all of its competitions and broken 760 points each of its last three including while winning its District and finishing second at its Regional. Senior Alexyn DuBois made the all-state first team last season, senior Maddy Sauber made the second team and senior Reyna Collins earned honorable mention.
HUDSON
Ranking: No. 4
League finish: Second in Lenawee County Athletic Association
Coach: Kelly Bailey, 28th season
Championship history: Six MHSAA titles (most recent 2024), six runner-up finishes.
Top score: 758.08 at the District.
Team composition: 18 total (five seniors, four juniors, seven sophomores, two freshmen).
Outlook: Hudson ran its championship streak to five last season, winning by more than seven points. But the Tigers may have to climb this time after finishing second at their District and fourth at their Regional. Hudson did post its top scores of the season at those two most recent competitions, topping 754 points at both. Seniors Jayla Bright and Courtney Rodifer made the all-state first team last season, while sophomore Emmalin Rodifer made the second team and senior Kristtany Higgins, junior Emerson Sholl and sophomore Paige Butts earned honorable mentions.
MARION
Ranking: No. 10
League finish: Does not compete in a conference.
Coach: Danyel Prielipp, 27th season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 762.40 at the District.
Team composition: 12 total (four seniors, two juniors, one sophomore, five freshmen).
Outlook: Marion is another first-time Finals qualifier, advancing by winning its District by 15.3 points and then finishing third at its Regional among four ranked teams at the top. The District win was the team’s sixth in 11 competitions total. Seniors J’Lynn Schoonmaker, Malley Raymond and Ella Wilson and junior Aaliyah Nealey earned all-District honors last season.
NORWAY
Ranking: No. 8
League finish: Does not compete in a conference.
Coach: Hailey Micoley, third season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 751.78.
Team composition: 22 total (two seniors, five juniors, 10 sophomores, five freshmen).
Outlook: Norway finished its second-straight regular season having won all of its competitions, and also repeated as District champion. But this time the Knights jumped from seventh to second at their Regional to earn a return to the Finals for the first time since 2009. Senior Paige Roberts earned all-Regional recognition last season and is one of just seven upperclassmen on a team that finished 5.64 points behind winner NorthPointe at their Regional and should continue to build.
PEWAMO-WESTPHALIA
Ranking: No. 3
League finish: Does not compete in a conference.
Coach: Staci Myers, 18 season
Championship history: Nine MHSAA titles (most recent 2019), 13 runner-up finishes.
Top score: 771.14 at the Regional.
Team composition: 23 total (five seniors, six juniors, two sophomores, 10 freshmen).
Outlook: Last season’s runner-up appears plenty capable of making the jump to win its first championship since 2019, especially coming off a Regional-winning score that was more than 12 points higher than its previous best this season. The Pirates had finished second at their District by 12.11 points before winning the Regional by 5.08, and they’ve finished first or second at every competition this season. Seniors Addison Hengesbach and Caidence Nyhus and junior Karsyn Simmon made the all-state first team last season, seniors Jayde Ferguson and Miriam Downs made the second team, and junior Taryn Schafer and sophomore Brynn Feldpausch earned honorable mentions.
SANFORD MERIDIAN
Ranking: No. 1
League finish: First in Jack Pine Conference
Coach: Val MacKenzie, 35th season
Championship history: Division 4 runner-up 2018.
Top score: 772.88.
Team composition: 18 total (six seniors, two juniors, eight sophomores, two freshmen).
Outlook: Meridian – fifth a year ago – has not scored below 704 points at a competition this season, and is averaging an overall 745 –with three straight rounds of 760 or higher heading into this weekend. The Mustangs had won all of their meets before finishing third at their Regional. Senior Lexi Cryderman made the all-state first team last season, sophomores Marlee Kelly and Alyza Molski made the second team, and sophomores Ellie Beach and Payton Mathe earned honorable mentions.
PHOTO: Pewamo-Westphalia competes during its Regional last week at Michigan Center. (Photo by Jim Pivarnik.)