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Finals Preview: Familiar Competition for No. 1
February 28, 2013
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
A year ago, Southgate Anderson capped the MHSAA Division 1 Competitive Cheer Final with its first championship.
This weekend, 22 of the 32 teams competing at the Grand Rapids DeltaPlex also made the Finals last year. But 20 are aspiring to become first-time champions as well.
The Division 1 Final begins at 6 p.m. Friday, followed by Division 2 at 10 a.m., Division 4 at 2 p.m. and Division 3 at 6 p.m. Saturday. Check back with Second Half throughout the weekend for coverage from all four.
Headed to the Individual Wrestling or Bowling Finals instead this weekend? No problem. Watch all four Cheer Finals live on MHSAA.tv,
Division 1
EAST KENTWOOD
Rank: No. 5
League finish: Second in O-K Red
Coach: Stacy Sheler, 12th season
Championship history: Two runner-up finishes (most recently 2010).
Top score: 777.80 at the District.
Team composition: 23 total (five seniors, nine juniors, six sophomores, three freshmen).
Outlook: The Falcons are coming off a sixth-place finish at last season’s Final. Six of East Kentwood’s last eight scores this winter have been 772 or higher, and the Falcons finished first at five of 12 regular-season events this season. That top score above placed them third at their District.
GRANDVILLE
Rank: No. 7
League finish: Third in the O-K Red
Coach: Julie Smith-Boyd, 32nd season
Championship history: Five MHSAA titles (most recently 2011), seven runner-up finishes.
Top score: 779.70 at the Regional.
Team composition: 31 total (nine seniors, six juniors, 12 sophomores, four freshmen).
Outlook: Grandville returns after finishing eighth at last season’s Final. The Bulldogs won their Regional last week, which was their first first-place finish of this season and came after placing second at their District. The Regional championship was the team’s second during the last five seasons.
HARTLAND
Rank: No. 1
League finish: First in Kensington Lakes Activities Association Kensington Conference
Coach: Amanda Adkins, second season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 785. 02 at the District.
Team composition: 22 total (three seniors, nine juniors, eight sophomores, two freshmen).
Outlook: The Eagles soared into this season with five first places in their first six events, and they've never finished lower than third this winter. Two of their top three scores have come over the last two weekends at the District and Regional, and they are poised to move up after finishing fourth at last season’s Final. Senior Carolyn Ventura made the all-state second team in 2012, and seniors Nicole Oliverio and Katie Manley earned honorable mentions.
HUDSONVILLE
Rank: No. 8
League finish: First in O-K Red
Coach: Amanda Cooper, eighth season
Championship history: Finished runner-up in 2012.
Top score: 792.06 at the District.
Team composition: 29 total (nine seniors, 17 juniors, three sophomores)
Outlook: Hudsonville’s runner-up finish at the 2012 Final was its best ever, and the Eagles kept the momentum by winning all three O-K meets this winter – finishing ahead of two others that are also in Friday night’s field. Hudsonville has broken 783 four times. Seniors Jenna White, Kaitlin Hamacher and Megan Pipe and junior Jazmine Moore made the all-state first team last winter, with junior Casey Raborn making the second team and seniors Nicole Sadler and McKenna Smith earning honorable mentions.
ROCHESTER
Rank: No. 6
League finish: First in Oakland Activities Association (Red and overall)
Coach: Susan Wood, 32nd season
Championship history: 12 MHSAA titles (most recently 2009), three runner-up finishes.
Top score: 780.88
Team composition: 29 total (12 seniors, seven juniors, 10 sophomores).
Outlook: Rochester has six first places to its credit this season, including at three in its last four events. This will be the Falcons’ fourth trip to the Finals over the last five seasons, and after finishing seventh a year ago. The DeltaPlex has been good lately to Rochester, which won the 21-team PR Cheer DeltaPlex Meet at the end of the regular season.
ROCHESTER HILLS STONEY CREEK
Rank: No. 4
League finish: Third in OAA Red
Coach: Tricia Williams, 10th season
Championship history: Won MHSAA title in 2010.
Top score: 780.82
Team composition: 23 total (eight seniors, nine juniors, six sophomores).
Outlook: Stoney Creek finished third at last season’s Final, five points off the lead, and bumped its score up 24 points from the District to win its Regional last weekend. That Regional title was the team’s third in four seasons. Junior Kacey Joseph earned an all-state honorable mention last season.
SOUTHGATE ANDERSON
Rank: No. 3
League finish: First in Downriver League
Coach: Colette Norscia, 14th season
Championship history: MHSAA champion in 2012.
Top score: 781.58
Team composition: 25 total (three seniors, 11 juniors, three sophomores, eight freshmen).
Outlook: Anderson graduated nine from its first MHSAA champion team, but a large group of juniors bring title-winning experience this weekend. Junior Holly Zmijewski and senior Morgan Farrah made the all-state first team in 2012, while junior Marisa Laginess made the second team and senior Kayla Miletti and junior Brittany Walton earned honorable mentions. Their third place at the Regional was the Titans’ only finish lower than second this winter.
STERLING HEIGHTS STEVENSON
Rank: No. 9
League finish: Second in Macomb Area Conference Red
Coach: Brianna Verdoodt, ninth season
Championship history: MHSAA runner-up in 2011.
Top score: 774.56
Team composition: 31 total (six seniors, eight juniors, seven sophomores, 10 freshmen).
Outlook: After missing last season’s Finals, Stevenson is back to try and improve on its 2011 second-place finish. The Titans won three of their first four events this season, including setting that high score in claiming its division at the Richmond Invitational.
Division 2
ALLEN PARK
Rank: No. 2
League finish: Third in Downriver League
Coach: Laura Hickman, second season
Championship history: Won MHSAA title in 2010, one runner-up finish.
Top score: 757.56
Team composition: 22 total (seven seniors, seven juniors, seven sophomores, one freshman).
Outlook: A significant number of standouts will lead Allen Park into Saturday after helping the Jaguars to fourth place in 2012. Juniors Nichol Francis and Brianna Lipa made the all-state first team last season, senior Madison Horvath and junior Jamie Furgerson made the second team and senior Adrianna McJunkin and sophomore Shelby Pauley earned honorable mentions. Allen Park opened this season with five straight first-place finishes and hasn't placed lower than third.
DEARBORN DIVINE CHILD
Rank: No. 1
League finish: First in Detroit Catholic High School League
Coach: Amber Genevich, eighth season
Championship history: Finished runner-up in 2012 and 2011.
Top score: 776.85
Team composition: 22 total (six seniors, nine juniors, seven sophomores).
Outlook: After finishing second the last two seasons and missing the title last winter by three points, is this the weekend Divine Child wins its first championship? The Falcons broke 770 points in just their third event and have scored 760 or higher over their last four. Seniors Alexandria Greco and Kristen Saunders return after making the all-state first team last season, while seniors Melanie Pierce, Jennifer Cimino and Brianne Pangrazzi made the second and junior Emily Penny earned an honorable mention.
DEWITT
Rank: No. 7
League finish: First in Capital Area Activities Conference (Red and overall)
Coach: Candace Heskitt, fifth season
Championship history: Finished runner-up in 2007.
Top score: 775.44
Team composition: 28 total (seven seniors, seven juniors, five sophomores, nine freshmen).
Outlook: The Panthers can boast nine first-place finishes in 12 events this season, and raise their game when it counts most – their current win streak includes their CAAC division and overall titles and wins at their District and Regional. DeWitt finished sixth at last season’s Division 2 Final.
GIBRALTAR CARLSON
Rank: No. 4
League finish: Second in Downriver League
Coach: Danielle Jokela, seventh season
Championship history: Five MHSAA titles (most recently 2012), four runner-up finishes
Top score: 787.98
Team composition: 20 total (five seniors, seven juniors, five sophomores, three freshmen).
Outlook: Carlson hopes to win its third straight title and fifth in six seasons. The Marauders have won all of their competitions this season except two – they were runners-up in the league and Regional meets – and have scored at least 783 four times. Senior Annie Hajec and junior Maelyn Russo made the all-state first team last season, while junior Chelsea Robb made the second and senior Miranda Colmer earned an honorable mention.
GRAND RAPIDS CHRISTIAN
Rank: Unranked
League finish: First in O-K Bronze/White
Coach: Jacquie DeJonge, 20th season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 746.66
Team composition: 26 total (eight seniors, nine juniors, seven sophomores, two freshmen).
Outlook: The Eagles earned this berth by soundly finishing fourth at their Regional ahead of, among others, No. 4 Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills and No. 8 Middleville Thornapple Kellogg. That top score came at the Regional and was only four points out of putting Grand Rapids Christian in second place.
MOUNT PLEASANT
Rank: No. 9
League finish: First in Saginaw Valley Association
Coach: Alicia Rudoni, second season
Championship history: MHSAA runner-up in 2009.
Top score: 748.56
Team composition: 22 total (seven seniors, four juniors, seven sophomores, four freshmen).
Outlook: The Oilers are back at the Finals after falling short at last season’s Regional. Mount Pleasant has only one finish below third place this season, and broke 748 both at the Regional and in winning the Breckenridge Invitational earlier this season.
ST. JOSEPH
Rank: Unranked
League finish: First in Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference
Coach: Jenna Ruddell, second season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 765.82
Team composition: 22 total (four seniors, eight juniors, four sophomores, six freshmen).
Outlook: Ruddell brings a variety of experiences to the Bears – she’s coached at five high schools and also Central Michigan University and Ferris State – and her knowledge is paying off quickly. She took St. Joseph to the Regional last season, and the Bears raised their performance another level this winter despite a relatively young team. St. Joseph has broken 750 points four times.
WYANDOTTE ROOSEVELT
Rank: No. 6
League finish: Fourth in Downriver League
Coach: Elissa Cumiskey, ninth season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 751.72
Team composition: 16 total (two seniors, seven juniors, two sophomores, five freshmen).
Outlook: Roosevelt is making its first Finals appearance since 2008 and has the eighth-highest score in Division 2 this winter. The Bears already have had success in Grand Rapids this season, winning their division of the DeltaPlex Invitational.
Division 3
COMSTOCK PARK
Rank: No. 6
League finish: First in O-K Blue
Coach: Kathy Felty, 20 season
Championship history: Two MHSAA titles (most recently 2011), three runner-up finishes.
Top score: 763.44
Team composition: 20 total (six seniors, five juniors, seven sophomores, two freshmen).
Outlook: Comstock Park finished runner-up last season for the second time in three after also winning Division 3 in 2012. Only once this season have the Panthers finished lower than second at a competition, and that was a third against mostly Division 2 competition at the LMCCOA Scholarship Invitational. A number of veterans will try to claim another title, led by returning first-team all-state seniors Emily Geraghty and Christina Arnone and sophomore Brianna Pincombe. Juniors Lisa Egner and Kelsie Barnhart made the all-state second team last season, and sophomores Sabrina Arnone and Hayley Robinson earned honorable mentions.
GROSSE ILE
Rank: No. 5
League finish: First in Huron League
Coach: Jayme Judd, third season
Championship history: Two MHSAA titles (most recently 2010), one runner-up finish.
Top score: 736.34
Team composition: 21 total (four seniors, five juniors, seven sophomores, five freshmen).
Outlook: Grosse Ile finished third at last season’s Final and only two points out of second place. The Red Devils opened this season with six straight victories and have won eight events total so far. A number of standouts could make this another big finish – junior Ciara Nellenbach made the all-state first team last season, with senior Brittany Evans and junior Sydney Sexton made the second and seniors Olivia Koklanaris and Sabhin Butto earned honorable mentions.
LAKE ODESSA LAKEWOOD
Rank: Unranked
League finish: First in CAAC White
Coach: Kim Martin, 18th season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 742.6
Team composition: 18 total (eight seniors, four juniors, two sophomores, four freshmen).
Outlook: Lakewood frequently is one of the top teams in the mid-Michigan area and has won four straight league titles; the Vikings finished second to only Division 2 qualifier DeWitt at the all-CAAC meet this season. Lakewood upped its score 37 points from the District to place fourth at the Regional ahead of No. 9 Holland Christian and No. 10 Grand Rapids Catholic Central, among others.
OTSEGO
Rank: No. 7
League finish: Second in Wolverine Conference
Coach: Nicole Durr, ninth season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 726.82
Team composition: 20 total (six seniors, six juniors, three sophomores, five freshmen).
Outlook: Otsego is back at the Finals for the first time since 2010 and in part on the strength of a District championship. The Bulldogs shine brightest in Round 3, and their 307.8 this season is the sixth-highest score for that round in Division 3.
OVID-ELSIE
Rank: No. 4
League finish: Second in Tri-Valley Conference
Coach: Katie Calverley, first season
Championship history: Two MHSAA titles (most recently 2005).
Top score: 756.66
Team composition: 14 total (three seniors, four juniors, two sophomores, five freshmen).
Outlook: Calverley, a member of the 2005 and 2004 Ovid-Elsie MHSAA champion teams, has the Marauders back after they missed the Finals last season. Ovid-Elsie had finished first or second at all of its events this season before taking third at the Regional, but its high score this season also is the fourth-highest in all of Division 3.
PAW PAW
Rank: No. 8
League finish: First in Wolverine Conference
Coach: Stefanie Miller, fourth season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 737.08
Team composition: 21 total (three seniors, six juniors, seven sophomores, five freshmen).
Outlook: Paw Paw will look to build on last season’s sixth-place finish at the Final, and returns all-state second-team senior Tracy Simpkins and honorable mention Kaleigh Davies. Paw Paw finished first or second in all but one event so far this season, and just ahead of Finals qualifier Otsego to win the Wolverine Conference.
PONTIAC NOTRE DAME PREP
Rank: No. 1
League finish: Second in Detroit Catholic High School League
Co-coaches: Beth Campbell and Samantha Mularski, first seasons
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 767.08
Team composition: 26 total (seven seniors, six juniors, seven sophomores, six freshmen).
Outlook: Campbell – formerly coach at Troy – and Mularski took over a program this winter that finished fourth at last season’s Final and looks like a strong possibility to achieve its first top-two finish. Notre Dame has finished among the top two at all of its events this season and has traded top spots the last two weekends with reigning champion Richmond – Notre Dame won the District and finished second at the Regional. Senior Hannah Genord made the all-state second team last season, and senior Emily Rodriguez and junior Lauren Sadowski earned honorable mentions.
RICHMOND
Rank: No. 2
League finish: First in Blue Water Area Conference
Coach: Kelli Matthes, fifth season
Championship history: MHSAA champion 2012, runner-up 2011.
Top score: 780.14
Team composition: 19 total (seven seniors, seven juniors, four sophomores, one freshmen).
Outlook: Last season’s first-ever championship firmly established Richmond as the Division 3 team to beat – the Blue Devils have won five league, four District and four Regional titles during Matthes’ five seasons. Richmond has scored at least 771 points in each of its last five events. Seniors Ashley Barrett and Joanna Fenwick and junior Tiannah Banks made the all-state first team last season, seniors Alyssa Brickel and Courtney Russell made the second and senior Caity Wright and junior Jessica Bishop earned honorable mentions.
Division 4
HART
Rank: No. 3
League finish: First in West Michigan Conference
Coach: Jennifer Hlady , sixth season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 738.34
Team composition: Six total (three seniors, one junior, one sophomore, one freshman).
Outlook: Hart is small in number but remains powerful in spirit, and could make a run at a top finish after placing fifth in 2012. The team has finished first or second at all of its events this season, and that high score came in earning the District title. Seniors Alex DuPont and Ariana Ferwerda made the all-state second team last season, and senior Kelsey Mead and junior Stacie Shellhouse earned honorable mentions.
HUDSON
Rank: No. 5
League finish: Fourth in Lenawee County Athletic Association
Coach: Kelly Bailey, 21st season
Championship history: Four runner-up finishes (most recently 2010).
Top score: 737.22
Team composition: 16 total (three seniors, two juniors, four sophomores, seven freshmen).
Outlook: Hudson is back coming off a third-place finish at last season’s Final, and also is coming off its best score this season in finishing second at its Regional. Seniors Payton Darr and Katie Mattison made the all-state first team last season, and senior Amanda Rodriguez made the second.
IRON MOUNTAIN
Rank: No. 7
League finish: Does not compete in a league.
Coach: Jennifer Nagy-Schneider, fourth season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 720.74
Team composition: 11 total (five seniors, three juniors, three sophomores).
Outlook: Iron Mountain is one of a strong group of Upper Peninsula teams that qualified in Division 4 and last season finished sixth in Grand Rapids. Iron Mountain’s top Round 1 and 2 scores both rank sixth for the entire division this season. Senior Kassidy Schaut made the all-state second team last season, and senior Cassy Secinaro earned an honorable mention.
MANISTIQUE
Rank: No. 9
League finish: Does not compete in a league.
Coach: Kim Hayward, 13th season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 708.52
Team composition: 15 total (two seniors, five juniors, five sophomores, three freshmen).
Outlook: Manistique is back at the Finals for the fourth time in five seasons after missing last year. The Emeralds have broken 701 points in three of their last six events, and the high score came in a top finish at the Gaylord Invitational.
MERRILL
Rank: No. 2
League finish: First in Tri-Valley Conference
Coach: Courtney Schiller, ninth season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 745.14
Team composition: Eight total (three juniors, one sophomore, four freshmen).
Outlook: Merrill looks like a strong possibility to make a run at its first MHSAA title with a roster featuring more than 50 percent underclassmen and no seniors. The Vandals have posted the top Round 3 score in Division 4 this season and carriy the highest average team score after cracking 700 points in all of their events. Junior Alanna Peake made the all-state first team last season, junior Alexis Coppins made the second, and junior Paige Glazier earned an honorable mention.
MICHIGAN CENTER
Rank: No. 1
League finish: First in Cascades Conference
Coach: Jessica Trefry, 12th season
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recently 2012).
Top score: 745.62
Team composition: 17 total (one senior, seven juniors, seven sophomores, two freshmen).
Outlook: Michigan Center is competing for its third straight championship and fourth in five seasons thanks in part to a strong group of leaders – despite only one senior. That senior, Megan Shown, and junior Paula Stone made the all-state first team last season, while junior Paige Rochefort made the second and junior Sierra Sharrer earned an honorable mention. Michigan Center has broken 743 points three times, inc
![Hudson competitive cheer](/sites/default/files/2021-03/210326_cheer_2H_0.jpg)
Preview: Reigning Champs Could Set Saturday's Pace
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
March 26, 2021
Both divisions of Saturday's MHSAA Competitive Cheer Finals will welcome back their reigning champions, and Allen Park in Division 2 and Hudson in Division 4 have impressed again this winter.
But there are plenty of contenders who would like to take their places, with six teams in both divisions seeking their first Finals championships in this sport.
Spectators will be limited at Saturday's Finals, but both will be viewable with subscription on MHSAA.tv. Division 2 begins competition at 10 a.m., with Division 4 at 3 p.m.
Here's a glance at all eight teams competing in each of those divisions:
Division 2
ALLEN PARK
League finish: First in Downriver League.
Coach: Julie Goodwin, 16th season
Championship history: Three MHSAA titles (most recent 2020), four runner-up finishes.
Top score: 793.64.
Team composition: 27 total (six seniors, 10 juniors, nine sophomores, two freshmen.
Outlook: Allen Park has won two of the last four Division 2 championships and finished runner-up the other two seasons of that string and also 2016 as part of a five-year top-two run. The Jaguars are undefeated this winter and have topped 790 points five times. Seniors Skyler Longton and Kylee Dietz and juniors Adreanna Carone and Cassidy Kuhn made the all-state first team last season, junior Cassidy Reardon and sophomore Madisyn Setser made the second team and seniors Rayden Guthrie and Monica Karagozian earned honorable mentions.
CEDAR SPRINGS
League finish: First in Ottawa-Kent Conference Gold.
Coach: Anne Olszewski, seventh season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 762.22.
Team composition: 20 total (six seniors, eight juniors, one sophomore, five freshmen).
Outlook: Cedar Springs finished seventh at the Finals last season and has kept building this winter improving 67 points from its first three-round competition through winning its league meet. The Red Hawks have scored 754 or higher in three straight competitions. Junior Josilyn Slagter earned an all-state honorable mention last season.
DEWITT
League finish: First in Capital Area Activities Conference Blue.
Coach: Candace Heskitt, 13th season
Championship history: Division 2 runner-up in 2015 and 2007.
Top score: 778.46.
Team composition: 22 total (eight seniors, nine juniors, four sophomores, one freshman).
Outlook: The Panthers rose to third at last season’s Finals and have not finished lower than second at a competition this winter – and were only 64 hundredths of a point off the lead in finishing runner-up at their Regional. The majority of last season’s top achievers are leading the way again. Seniors Gabrielle Cooney and Aubrey McKinley and junior Kyleigh Greenhoe made the all-state first team last season, while junior Madailein Boyle made the second team and senior Ashley Austin and junior Anneliese Phillips earned honorable mentions.
FLINT KEARSLEY
League finish: Second in Flint Metro League.
Coach: Sierra Coughlin, first season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 756.66 at Regional.
Team composition: 21 total (eight seniors, three juniors, five sophomores, five freshmen).
Outlook: Coughlin, an all-stater at Ortonville Brandon in 2015, has Kearsley headed to the Finals in her first season. The Hornets have upped their overall score five straight competitions and claimed a District title along the way. Seniors Isabella Baltosser and Megan Flynn earned all-region accolades last season.
MASON
League finish: First in CAAC Red.
Coach: Angela Boerkoel, ninth season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 754.5.
Team composition: 23 total (five seniors, five juniors, eight sophomores, five freshmen).
Outlook: The Bulldogs are returning to the Finals, an impressive jump after their 2020 season ended in the District. During this regular season, Mason at one point won five straight competitions including three invitationals. Senior Alexandra Erbe and juniors Karissa Burns, Madilyn Merritt and Brianna Judkins earned all-district recognition last season.
MUSKEGON MONA SHORES
League finish: First in O-K Green.
Coach: Amanda Heethuis, 14th season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 778.92.
Team composition: 28 total (seven seniors, nine juniors, eight sophomores, four freshmen).
Outlook: The Sailors are looking to build on their fifth place at last season’s Finals, and this will be their fifth championship meet trip in six seasons. They have won all but one competition this season, finishing second but with their second-highest overall score at their invitational. Junior Zoe Fetters made the all-state second team last season, while senior Brooklin Yokubonus and junior Mariah Bathrick earned honorable mentions.
SOUTHGATE ANDERSON
League finish: Fourth in Downriver League.
Coach: Colette Norscia, 18th season
Championship history: Division 1 champion 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Top score: 776.10.
Team composition: 23 total (three seniors, five juniors, 11 sophomores, four freshmen).
Outlook: Anderson is coming off a sixth-place finish at last season’s Finals and has posted four overall sores of at least 754 and two of at least 774 – perhaps a sign of big things to come as the majority of the roster is filled with underclassmen. Senior Alexis Newman made the all-state second team last season, and senior Breanna Unis earned honorable mention.
WALLED LAKE WESTERN
League finish: First in Lakes Valley Conference.
Co-coaches: Amber Stocks, 11th season; and Michelle Frey, ninth season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 788.48.
Team composition: 21 total (seven seniors, five juniors, eight sophomores, one freshman).
Outlook: Walled Lake Western was fourth in Division 2 last season and this winter has finished first in six of nine competitions with a District championship among them. The Warriors then scored their highest of the season by nearly 12 points to take second at their Regional. Senior Jordan Zayed made the all-state second team last season, with senior Jocelyn Peets and junior Alyssa Fredin earning honorable mentions.
Division 4
ADDISON
League finish: Third in Cascades Conference.
Coach: Haley Miller, first season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 727.86.
Team composition: Nine total (four seniors, four juniors, one freshman).
Outlook: Miller was part of two Finals championship teams while competing for Michigan Center last decade and took over an Addison program that finished third in Division 4 a year ago. The Panthers also finished third at their Regional this week but with their third-highest overall score of the season. Seniors Emma Spink and Reese Pickford made the all-state second team last season, and senior Marissa Douglas earned honorable mention.
ADRIAN MADISON
League finish: Does not compete in a league.
Coach: Sarah Kope, second season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 719.98.
Team composition: 12 total (two seniors, four juniors, three sophomores, three freshmen).
Outlook: Madison was fourth in Division 4 last season and enters this weekend with a string of four straight overall scores between 713-720. Junior Lilian Wager made the all-state second team last season, and juniors Julia Mohr and Inessa Aranda earned honorable mentions.
GRAND RAPIDS NORTHPOINTE CHRISTIAN
League finish: Tied for second in O-K Silver.
Coach: Sue Smith, eighth season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 667.08 at Regional.
Team composition: Five total (two seniors, one junior, one sophomore, one freshman).
Outlook: NorthPointe is returning after back-to-back seventh-place Finals finishes and with its four highest overall scores this winter coming over its last four competitions. While few in number, the Mustangs stand tall with past accolades with senior Kristi Smith making the all-state first team last season, senior Malia Baugh making the second and junior Lauren Henderson earning an honorable mention.
HART
League finish: First in West Michigan Conference.
Coach: Jennifer Hlady, 10th season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 687.86 at District.
Team composition: 13 total (two seniors, one junior, five sophomores, four freshmen).
Outlook: With 10 underclassmen filling most of the roster, Hart repeated as league champion and finished runner-up at both its District and Regional posting two of its four highest overall scores of the season. The Pirates have finished first or second in 11 of their 13 competitions – an impressive surge for a team that saw its season end in the District a year ago.
HUDSON
League finish: First in Lenawee County Athletic Association.
Coach: Kelly Bailey, 24th season
Championship history: Two MHSAA titles (most recent 2020), six runner-up finishes.
Top score: 769.44.
Team composition: 20 total (six seniors, three juniors, seven sophomores, four freshmen).
Outlook: Hudson is riding a wave of two championships in three seasons and four straight top-two finishes. The Tigers also are surging into this weekend with their two highest scores of the season coming over their last two competitions, and they have gone above 762 three times total this winter. Seniors Kaley Bloomer and Kallahan Marry and junior Maize Sholl made the all-state first team last season, while junior Logan Parks and sophomore Cheyenne Eichler made the second team and seniors Ahna Marry and Emma Shirey and sophomore Annalyse Ames earned honorable mentions.
LAWTON
League finish: Did not compete in a league this season.
Coach: Holly James, eighth season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 702.74 at District.
Team composition: Eight total (one senior, three sophomores, four freshmen).
Outlook: After missing a Finals trip last season by one place at Regionals, the last few weeks included a District title and have been a great achievement for an underclassmen-filled team. Senior Iliana Vigil and sophomore Mikayla Reynolds earned all-region recognition last season.
PEWAMO-WESTPHALIA
League finish: Does not compete in a league.
Coach: Staci Myers, 14th season
Championship history: Nine MHSAA titles (most recent 2019), 11 runner-up finishes.
Top score: 745.98.
Team composition: 10 total (five seniors, two juniors, two sophomores, one freshman).
Outlook: The Pirates have traded top-two finishes with Hudson the last two seasons, and fell short of a repeat by 2.2 points a year ago. But they won both their District and Regional and have finished lower than second only once this winter. Junior Lindsey Pohl and sophomore Emma Flanigan made the all-state first team last season, while senior Ellie Pohl made the second team and junior Halie Myers earned an honorable mention.
VANDERCOOK LAKE
League finish: First in Cascades Conference.
Coach: Sarah DuBois, 20th season
Championship history: Seeking first top-two Finals finish.
Top score: 755.92.
Team composition: Nine total (six seniors, three juniors).
Outlook: Vandercook Lake has finished first or second at 10 of 12 competitions this winter on the way to returning to the Finals, and posted its five highest overall scores over its last five meets. The Jayhawks were second at both their District and Regional, but their score at the latter would have won the other Regional by 25 points. Seniors Kylie Baldwin and Breanna Ray both earned all-region recognition in 2020.
PHOTO: Hudson competes in Round 3 during last season's run to the Division 4 championship.