Preview: New Home, New Schedule, Newcomers, Reigning Champions Headline Finals
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
March 1, 2023
There is plenty of new heading into this weekend’s MHSAA Competitive Cheer Finals – and some more could spring up before Friday’s last championship meet is complete.
The two-day event has a new home – McGuirk Arena at Central Michigan University – and a new schedule with two Finals on Thursday and two on Friday, at 1 and 6 p.m. both days. A series of first-time qualifiers also help fill the field.
Four teams have had a hold on their respective divisions the last few years, as Richmond in Division 3 is seeking its fifth-straight championship and Rochester Adams in Division 1, Allen Park in Division 2 and Hudson in Division 4 all are competing for fourth-consecutive titles. A new champion or more would surely be among headliners during a busy Finals weekend across three sports.
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
League finish: Second in Kensington Lakes Activities Association
Coach: Christina Wilson, 10th season
Championship history: Class A runner-up 1999.
Top score: 787.74 at District.
Team composition: 27 total (four seniors, seven juniors, six sophomores, 10 freshmen).
Outlook: After ending last season fifth at its Regional, Brighton is headed back to the Finals. The Bulldogs finished second at both their District and Regional and have broken 785 points four times this season – including at those two postseason events and the KLAA championship meet. Senior Natalie Rodgers led four returnees who earned all-District recognition in 2022.
GRANDVILLE
League finish: First in Ottawa-Kent Conference Red
Coach: Julie Smith-Boyd, 42nd season
Championship history: Six MHSAA titles (most recent 2015), 10 runner-up finishes.
Top score: 790.28.
Team composition: 30 total (two seniors, 17 juniors, four sophomores, seven freshmen).
Outlook: After finishing runner-up in 2021, Grandville placed seventh a year ago and will look to jump back into contention with scores of at least 782 in six of their last seven events. Juniors Brie Vanderplow, Lexsee Pawloski, Jodi O’Dell and Avery Polinskey all earned all-Regional honors last season.
HARTLAND
League finish: First in KLAA
Coach: Candace Fahr, sixth season
Championship history: Division 1 runner-up 2013.
Top score: 789.98
Team composition: 27 total (seven seniors, 11 juniors, seven sophomores, two freshmen).
Outlook: Hartland returned to the Finals last season after a year away with a fourth-place finish, and the Eagles are primed to contend coming off District and Regional championships and three straight overall scores of 787 or higher. They’ve won seven of 10 competitions this season. Senior Ashley Kretz and junior Molly Woolf made the all-state first team last year, while juniors Grace DeYoung and Samantha Mollard made the second team and juniors Kaylee Balagna and Aspen Smith earned honorable mentions.
MACOMB L’ANSE CREUSE NORTH
League finish: Second in Macomb Area Conference Red
Coach: Lauren Turner, second season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 791.70 at District.
Team composition: 24 total (five seniors, 10 juniors, six sophomores, three freshmen).
Outlook: The Crusaders have strung together their four best total scores over their last five competitions and followed up their District championship with a fourth-place Regional finish after the three Rochester-area teams posted the top three scores at either Division 1 meet last weekend. Juniors Ina Harding and Hannah Waters were among top returnees after making the all-District first and second teams, respectively, last season.
MILFORD
League finish: First in Lakes Valley Conference
Coach: Patti Warzecha, 12th season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 777.94
Team composition: 23 total (three seniors, nine juniors, eight sophomores, three freshmen).
Outlook: Milford reached Regionals for the fourth-straight season and took the next step in making the Finals for the first time. The Mavericks have topped 772 points in five of their last six competitions and 777 three times. Senior Leah Fitzgerald made the all-District first team last year, and sophomores Emme Dreffs and Kenleigh Bailey made the second team.
ROCHESTER
League finish: First in Oakland Activities Association Red
Coach: Samantha Koehler, first season
Championship history: 14 MHSAA titles (most recent 2017).
Top score: 793.16
Team composition: 26 total (nine seniors, four juniors, 10 sophomores, three freshmen).
Outlook: Koehler, who formerly led a strong program at Plymouth from 2016-22, took over this one from Susan Wood – who had led Rochester to all 14 of its championships dating back to the first year of Finals in 1994. Koehler has watched the Falcons score 790 or higher their last three competitions and finish first or second in all of them this winter. After missing the Finals in 2021, Rochester returned with a fifth-place finish last year. Senior Martina Dedvukaj earned an all-state honorable mention.
ROCHESTER ADAMS
League finish: Second in OAA Red
Coach: Brooke Miller, ninth season
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 2022), three runner-up finishes.
Top score: 794.16
Team composition: 28 total (12 seniors, eight juniors, four sophomores, four freshmen).
Outlook: Adams has won three straight Division 1 championships and strung together five straight seasons finishing among the Finals top two. The Highlanders have won their last four competitions this winter and topped 791 points in their last three including District and Regional wins. Seniors Katie Burgin, Alex Ris and Ashley Rosati are returning all-state second-team selections, and seniors Emma Maynard and Peyton Regalado earned honorable mentions in 2022.
ROCHESTER HILLS STONEY CREEK
League finish: Third in OAA Red
Coach: Tricia Williams, 20th season
Championship history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 2019), Division 1 runner-up 2022.
Top score: 792.76 at Regional.
Team composition: 26 total (four seniors, 12 juniors, six sophomores, four freshmen).
Outlook: Stoney Creek is coming off missing the championship last season by just more than 2.3 points, and finished third at least week’s Regional but just 42 hundredths of a point off tying the highest score in Division 1 for the weekend. That 792.76 was the second time the team had broken 790 this season and its third time above 789. Juniors Kacey Bauer and Abigail DeGraw made the all-state second team last season, and junior Alison Kalaj earned an honorable mention.
Division 2
ALLEN PARK
League finish: Second in Downriver League
Coach: Julie Goodwin, 17th season
Championship history: Five MHSAA titles (most recent 2022), four runner-up finishes.
Top score: 795.42.
Team composition: 27 total (11 seniors, 11 juniors, three sophomores, two freshmen).
Outlook: The Jaguars have finished first or second in Division 2 the last seven seasons, claiming the last three titles. After finishing second at the Downriver League championship competition, Allen Park has responded with three of its top four scores this season, including also a 794.98 to win its District and 789.40 to win its Regional. Seniors Kristina Beste, Alyssa Rios and Madisyn Setser made the all-state first team last season, while seniors Aleia Breckenridge and Emma Buffa made the second team and seniors Madison Buchanan and Emma Williams earned honorable mentions.
BAY CITY WESTERN
League finish: Second in Saginaw Valley League
Coach: August Jaynes, fifth season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 776.36 at Regional.
Team composition: 19 total (seven seniors, three sophomores, nine freshmen).
Outlook: Western has finished first or second at its last nine competitions and won both its District and Regional, with that 776.36 five points higher than its previous best for this winter. Both championships were program firsts, and this will be the Warriors’ first trip to the Finals. Senior Bella Glumm was named SVL MVP this season, and with senior teammates Gabbie Goulette, Ambria Nagel, Shea Walli and Allison Kaczmarczyk was among first and second-team all-District honorees in 2022.
DEARBORN DIVINE CHILD
League finish: First in Detroit Catholic League Bishop
Co-coaches: Amber Genevich, 18th season; Shelley McClorey, sixth season
Championship history: Four Finals runner-up finishes (most recent 2014).
Top score: 789.34 at District.
Team composition: 19 total (two seniors, eight juniors, six sophomores, three freshmen).
Outlook: Divine Child returned to the Finals last season after two away and finished fourth, a solid springboard as they look to jump into contention this weekend with that District score one of three times the Falcons have broken 784 this winter. Seniors Abby Krizmanich and Elena Solomon both earned all-state honorable mentions last season.
GIBRALTAR CARLSON
League finish: First in Downriver League
Coach: Alyssa Tocco, second season
Championship history: 11 MHSAA titles (most recent 2019), seven runner-up finishes.
Top score: 793.98.
Team composition: 27 total (nine seniors, three juniors, five sophomores, 10 freshmen).
Outlook: Carlson finished runner-up last season, the second time over the last three. The Marauders return to the Finals this weekend after placing just ahead of Allen Park in the league and winning their District, but finishing two hundredths of a point behind the Jaguars at the Regional. Carlson has gone over 781 points its last six competitions and 788 four of those six including the Regional (789.38). Senior Kaitlyn Demers is a returning all-state first teamer, while seniors Tiaira Michalik, Ellen Szucs and Emilee Bain made the second team last season and senior Ciana Caliguire and junior Mya Oikarinen earned honorable mentions.
GRAND RAPIDS FOREST HILLS NORTHERN
League finish: First in O-K White
Coach: Carly Sienkiewicz, sixth season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 771.50.
Team composition: 18 total (seven seniors, three juniors, four sophomores, four freshmen).
Outlook: Forest Hills Northern returned to the Finals last season for the first time since 1998, and placed sixth, and the Huskies are returning after jumping 16 points from a third-place District finish to qualify fourth at their Regional. They entered the postseason with two straight scores of 770 or higher and cleared the Regional cut line by almost eight points. FHN is among teams with valuable experience heading into this weekend, as all three of last year’s all-state honorees are back – seniors Julie Fiser (first team), Alexis Linder (second team) and Jennessa Byl (honorable mention).
MASON
League finish: Tied for first in Capital Area Activities Conference Red
Coach: Angela Boerkoel, 11th season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 765.82.
Team composition: 20 total (six seniors, four juniors, four sophomores, six freshmen).
Outlook: The Bulldogs are back after missing the Finals last season and nearly equaled their high score getting here with a 765.78 to place third at their Regional. It’s been another nice jump after the team fell one spot shy of making Regionals in 2022. Boerkoel, who formerly coached Brighton, has led Mason to three league titles and now two Finals appearances over the past three seasons, and her team finished third or better at all of its competitions this winter. Senior Eleana Young made the all-District second team last season.
MIDDLEVILLE THORNAPPLE KELLOGG
League finish: First in O-K Gold
Coach: Adrian Nichols, third season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 772.64 at Regional.
Team composition: 15 total (three seniors, four juniors, two sophomores, six freshmen).
Outlook: The Trojans are returning to the Finals for the first time since 2015. They made a magnificent jump at their Regional, with the 772.64 nearly 14 points higher than their previous high total score this season. MTK was second at the Regional after winning the District, and has won 10 competitions total and finished second in its other three. Juniors Mali Holland, Ava Jahnke and Kenady Smith all made the all-District second team last year.
SOUTH LYON EAST
League finish: Second in LVC
Coach: Julia Tilt, fourth season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 780.06.
Team composition: 20 total (five seniors, five juniors, six sophomores, four freshmen).
Outlook: South Lyon East has made an incredible climb under Tilt to reach the Finals for the first time – from not qualifying for Regionals in 2020, to placing seventh at Regionals in 2021 and fifth last year and now advancing with a fourth-place finish. After finishing second at their District two weeks ago, the Cougars were nearly 27 points better at the Regional with a 769.18 and have gone 771 or higher five times. Senior Cassie Ryan made the all-Regional second team last season, and senior Hannah Westlund and junior Natalie Tilt earned honorable mentions.
Division 3
CROSWELL-LEXINGTON
League finish: Second in Blue Water Area Conference
Coach: Katie Tomlinson, eighth season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 783.38 at District.
Team composition: 28 total (eight seniors, six juniors, 12 sophomores, two freshmen).
Outlook: Croswell-Lexington has finished fourth, fifth and fourth the last three seasons and last year scored within nine points of the lead. The Pioneers could push even higher this time. They finished second to four-time reigning Division 3 champion Richmond in the BWAC this winter, then second at their District to Pontiac Notre Dame Prep by fewer than three points and third at their Regional to those two powers but less than six points off the lead. Junior Shelby Oliver made the all-state second team last season, and junior Cora Katulski earned honorable mention.
GROSSE ILE
League finish: Second in Huron League
Coach: Angela Raithel, sixth season
Championship history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 2010), Division 3 runner-up 2009.
Top score: 768.92 at Regional.
Team composition: 17 total (one senior, six juniors, seven sophomores, three freshmen).
Outlook: Grosse Ile has earned its first Finals trip since 2014, climbing from third at its District to fourth at its Regional to qualify. Raithel has been building toward this moment, with the Red Devils also claiming District titles the last two seasons and just missing out on the Finals with a fifth place at their Regional last year. Lone senior Amanda Hancock made the all-Regional first team last season, while junior Sienna Ross made the second team and sophomores Marissa Trombley and Virginia West earned honorable mentions.
HOWARD CITY TRI COUNTY
League finish: First in Central State Activities Association
Coach: Jennifer Laskey, 16th season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 757.38.
Team composition: 24 total (five seniors, five juniors, 11 sophomores, three freshmen).
Outlook: Tri County returned to the Finals last season after two years away, and is making a repeat trip with a top score this time 10 points higher than a year ago. That jump also has included a District title and runner-up finish at its Regional, and eight competition wins overall. Senior Madalynn Laskey is a returning all-state first-team selection, and senior MaLeea Neely earned honorable mention last season.
LAKE ODESSA LAKEWOOD
League finish: First in Greater Lansing Activities Conference
Coach: Kim Martin, 31st season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 766.81
Team composition: 20 total (four seniors, seven juniors, eight sophomores, one freshman).
Outlook: Lakewood is making its second-straight Finals appearance and seventh over the last 11 seasons, and placed seventh a year ago. The Vikings have won six competitions and placed second at two others including the District before finishing fourth at their Regional. Lakewood also has won 14 straight league titles. Senior Emily Root made the all-Regional second team last season.
PAW PAW
League finish: First in Wolverine Conference
Coach: Stefanie Miller, 14th season
Championship history: Division 3 runner-up 2022 and 2021.
Top score: 768.86 at Regional.
Team composition: 16 total (two seniors, five juniors, two sophomores, seven freshmen).
Outlook: Paw Paw has finished a point or less behind champion Richmond the last two seasons and returns to the Finals with District and Regional titles and victories in all but one competition overall this season. While nine seniors topped last year’s lineup, this one has experience too but just among younger athletes. Junior Molly Goodwin made the all-state first team last season, while juniors Naveh Davenport and Maya Leonard and sophomore Ashley Olsen made the second team and junior Madison Lasinski earned an honorable mention.
PORTLAND
League finish: First in CAAC White
Coach: Mindy Blaschka, 10th season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 764.34.
Team composition: 22 total (four seniors, 10 juniors, four sophomores, four freshmen).
Outlook: A younger team that finished sixth last year in its first Finals trip now has that experience and a large junior class as it returns coming off league and District titles and a third place at its Regional. The Raiders have broken 753 three times over their last six competitions. Senior Lily Buckland earned an all-state honorable mention last season, and juniors Abigail Rice and Autumn Schafer were second-team all-Regional selections.
PONTIAC NOTRE DAME PREP
League finish: Does not compete in a league.
Coach: Beth Lockhart, 11th season
Championship history: Five MHSAA titles (most recent 2018), three runner-up finishes.
Top score: 786.08 at District.
Team composition: 17 total (three seniors, three juniors, six sophomores, five freshmen).
Outlook: The Fighting Irish last finished runner-up in 2020 and placed third the last two seasons, just a half-point off the lead a year ago. They should be in the mix again with wins in all of their competitions except one, a runner-up finish at the Rochester Adams Invitational. The District and Regional titles came against fields including reigning champion Richmond. Junior Alaina Byrne and sophomore Haleigh Campbell earned all-state honorable mentions last season and were joined by senior Ashley Quinn and sophomore Grace Kincade in also receiving all-Regional recognition.
RICHMOND
League finish: First in BWAC
Coach: Kelli Matthes, 15th season
Championship history: Six MHSAA titles (most recent 2022), five runner-up finishes.
Top score: 783.74
Team composition: 25 total (seven seniors, three juniors, eight sophomores, seven freshmen).
Outlook: Richmond has finished among the top two in Division 3 eight straight seasons and won the last four titles, but faces an interesting challenge after finishing third at its District and second at its Regional with NDP winning both. Still, the Blue Devils have topped 781 twice and 777 two more times, and bring back plenty of standouts with championship experience. Juniors Annabell Loftis and Ana Moskwa and sophomore Faith Thompson made the all-state first team last season, while senior Nicole Ostaszewski, junior Alyssa DeBlouw and sophomore Camryn Moore made the second team.
Division 4
ADRIAN MADISON
League finish: Does not compete in a league.
Coach: Sarah Kope, fourth season
Championship history: Division 4 runner-up 2022.
Top score: 731.52 at District.
Team composition: 14 total (four seniors, four juniors, three sophomores, three freshmen).
Outlook: Madison is back after its history-making finish a year ago and with a top score 10 points higher than at this point last season. The Regional third place was the team’s first finish outside of the top two this season. Sophomore Mya Solis made the all-state first team last winter, while seniors Abby Griewahn, Danielle Vallejo and Kaylee Paulette made the second team and junior Delaney Dopp earned honorable mention.
HART
League finish: First in West Michigan Conference
Co-coaches: Jennifer Hlady, 12th season; Ashleigh Andritsis, first season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 752.84.
Team composition: Seven total (three seniors, two juniors, two sophomores).
Outlook: Hart missed the Finals last season while competing in Division 3 after finishing eighth in Division 4 in 2021, and has been unstoppable so far this winter with victories in all 14 competitions including by 36 points at the District and 23 at the Regional. The 744.93 at that District was the team’s second-highest total score. Sophomore LexieBeth Nienhuis made the all-Regional second team last season, and junior Jasmyne Villanueva earned an honorable mention.
HUDSON
League finish: First in Lenawee County Athletic Association
Coach: Kelly Bailey, 26th season
Championship history: Four MHSAA titles (most recent 2022), six runner-up finishes.
Top score: 774.94
Team composition: 19 total (seven seniors, seven juniors, two sophomores, three freshmen).
Outlook: Hudson has finished first or second in Division 4 the last six seasons and won three straight titles, and last year’s 50-point Finals win could be a sign of what’s to come this weekend as well. The Tigers also are undefeated this winter with an average total score of 750.42 and scores above that in seven-straight competitions before posting a 740.38 to win the Regional. Seniors Cheyenne Eichler and Annalyse Ames and juniors Rylie Bloomer and Victoria Hawkins made the all-state first team last season, while seniors Ellie Bean, Shantzee Henderson and Isabella Moreno made the second team and junior Paige Clark earned an honorable mention.
LAWTON
League finish: First in Southwestern Athletic Conference
Coach: Holly James, 10th season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 738.08.
Team composition: 13 total (four seniors, four juniors, one sophomore, four freshmen).
Outlook: Lawton has won 10 competitions this season including its District after the team improved from seventh in 2021 to third at last year’s Final. Its top score is nearly 30 points higher than when entering championship weekend a year ago. The Blue Devils are another team with plenty of returning star power, with seniors Rylee Oxley and Mikayla Reynolds and junior Kiera Banks returning all-state first teamers, senior Casandra Salgado and sophomore Amanda Aumaugher back from the second team and senior Samantha Gorenchan and junior Amanda Aumaugher having earned honorable mentions in 2022.
MASON COUNTY CENTRAL
League finish: Second in West Michigan Conference
Coach: Cheri Stibitz, 14th season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 731.56.
Team composition: 12 total (seven seniors, two juniors, one sophomore, two freshmen).
Outlook: MCC is headed to the Finals for the second-straight season after qualifying last year for the first time. The Spartans have finished first, second or third at all of their competitions, even stronger considering five were league meets that included undefeated Hart, as did the Regional. They also reached 731.22 in finishing runner-up at their District. Senior Geralyn Soberalski made the all-state first team last season, junior Emily Adams made the second and junior Marissa Quillan earned honorable mention.
MERRILL
League finish: Second in Mid-State Activities Conference
Coach: Jena Glazier, third season
Championship history: Division 4 runner-up 2014.
Top score: 717.50.
Team composition: 10 total (two seniors, six juniors, one sophomore, one freshman).
Outlook: The Vandals are returning to the Finals for the first time since 2018, with their six best total scores coming over their last seven competitions. Merrill made the jump after falling a place shy of reaching the Regional last season. Senior Brooke Breasbois made the all-District first team last season, and juniors Veda Gagne and Samantha Grubaugh made the second.
MICHIGAN CENTER
League finish: First in Cascades Conference
Co-coaches: Jessica Trefry, 22nd season; Bree Cash, first season
Championship history: Five MHSAA titles (most recent 2014), one runner-up finish.
Top score: 745.94 at District.
Team composition: 14 total (two seniors, five juniors, two sophomores, five freshmen).
Outlook: Michigan Center is making its first Finals appearance since 2019 and appears set to join the elite with four of their last seven scores 730 or higher and two 742 or better. The Cardinals finished second at their Regional to Hudson after winning their District with that season-high score. They just missed reaching Regionals in Division 3 last season, when junior Kate Paterson and sophomore Emma McIntyre made the all-District second team.
PEWAMO-WESTPHALIA
League finish: Second in GLAC
Coach: Staci Myers, 16th season
Championship history: Nine MHSAA titles (most recent 2019), 12 runner-up finishes.
Top score: 722.6.
Team composition: 13 total (two seniors, one junior, five sophomores, five freshmen)
Outlook: The Pirates are bringing another young team to the Finals after finishing sixth a year ago, but they are coming off runner-up finishes at their District and Regional and also finished second to Lakewood in the GLAC after joining the league for cheer this season. There’s a good deal of experience; senior Emma Flanigan made the all-state second team last season, and she was joined by senior Emily Schmitt, junior Sophia Simon and sophomores Miriam Downes and Jayde Ferguson in earning all-Regional recognition.
PHOTO Grosse Ile will be making its first MHSAA Finals appearance in competitive cheer this weekend since 2014. (Photo by Terry Jacoby.)
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.)