With Focus on Returning to MHSAA Finals, T-K Soars to Impressive Start
By
Dean Holzwarth
Special for MHSAA.com
January 20, 2022
MIDDLEVILLE – Thornapple-Kellogg senior Anna Benedict remembers competing in Rocket Cheer when she was in elementary school and looking up to the varsity cheerleaders who were there helping her.
Those same girls made it to the MHSAA Finals in competitive cheer, and Benedict aspired one day to reach the same level as her role models.
“I was coached by those girls, and as a little girl that was my dream,” Benedict said. “I wanted to go to the state finals when I was in the cheer program, and it would be so awesome to be back there.”
The Trojans haven’t appeared in the Finals since 2015, when they placed fifth in Division 2, but they are currently in the process of changing that.
A successful start to this season has created a belief that a return to the Finals is within reach.
“There is so much motivation,” T-K senior Zoey Thomas said. “We practice in the big gym and we have all our banners with the different sports, and that is one of our biggest motivations.
“Our coach will point up at the banners and will talk about adding years to conference, Districts, Regionals and state.”
Thomas, a three-sport athlete like many on the team, wants to end her time at the school competing with the best in the state.
“We haven’t been there since 2015, and personally, one of my goals is to end my high school career by going to state in one of my three sports,” Thomas said. “It would be so cool to go for competitive cheer my senior year.”
While the Finals are still more than six weeks away, the Trojans are on an upward trajectory.
T-K is perfect so far this season, the latest win coming in Wednesday’s first Ottawa-Kent Conference Gold jamboree.
The Trojans also won their own invitational last weekend by producing season-high scores in every round.
Prior to that, they captured victories at the West Catholic Invitational and Blue Devil Invitational.
“We’ve had a strong start for sure, and we are just trying to keep the momentum moving throughout the season and into Districts, hopefully Regionals and even going for the state finals,” T-K coach Adrian Sinkler said. “The biggest thing I keep telling them is to be consistent and just go out and have fun. We have to have stronger performances every time, and so far they’ve definitely done that.”
Fourteen athletes make up this year’s team, led by six experienced seniors.
Other key standouts include seniors Ruby Frei and Aundria Robbe, junior Presley Hall and sophomores Mali Holland, Kenady Smith and Ava Jahnke.
“We are not a school that goes to the state finals every year,” Benedict said. “So it would be cool to show that we can do it. Our season has played out well so far, and we all want it so bad. This team is willing to try anything to try and do it.”
The Trojans currently have the fourth-highest score (719.9) in Division 2, but they are not settling.
“We’ve had good success so far, but we have to continue to put in the work and not get comfortable,” Benedict said. “We have to understand that nothing will be given. Every competition is different, and you can’t predict anything. We can’t stop working hard and we just have to better ourselves.”
Added Thomas: “It took a lot of work to get to this point, and it’s not something that has come easy. It’s been hours upon hours of just cleaning, fixing and changing things. It’s been grueling work, but absolutely worth it, and it’s paid off so far. We're not done yet.”
Sinkler has an invested interest in the program as an alumnus.
She was a member of the first Trojans team to qualify for the Finals in 2012.
“It’s been a while since we’ve been there, and we’re trying to get them to go back,” Sinkler said. “They mesh really well and get along while also keeping each other in check, respectfully.
“They are different kids, and they are very calm, collected and very coachable. That keeps them pushing for something bigger. We have a big senior class and this is their last shot, so they want to leave a legacy and leave their seeds of knowledge back to the underclassmen.”
T-K has been solid in all three rounds, but especially its third.
A few tweaks have been made to improve the complexity and energy in that round, and it’s led to an enhanced confidence level.
“We made some changes a few weeks ago because we just weren’t loving the ending of it,” Sinkler said. “As a coach, it just didn’t do it for me and it didn’t give me that ‘wow,’ so we changed it. It’s definitely worked in our favor.”
Benedict said the third round has become the Trojans’ favorite.
“We’ve gotten better since the changes, and we’ve added a lot of difficulty,” she said. “As the round goes on, the stunts get more difficult, and that’s what makes it so good and so fun to watch.”
Dean Holzwarth has covered primarily high school sports for Grand Rapids-based WOOD-TV for four years after serving at the Grand Rapids Press and MLive for 16 years along with shorter stints at the Ionia Sentinel and WZZM. Contact him at [email protected] with story ideas for Allegan, Kent and Ottawa counties.
PHOTOS (Top) Middleville Thornapple-Kellogg celebrates its championship at its invitational Saturday. (Middle) The Trojans are seeking to reach their first MHSAA Finals in competitive cheer since 2015. (Photos courtesy of the T-K competitive cheer program.)
Preview: Historic Opportunities Await
February 28, 2018
By Geoff Kimmerly
Second Half editor
It’s easy to name some of the powers that have dominated Michigan competitive cheer over the years – and most of them will return to the MHSAA Finals this weekend in Grand Rapids.
But two of this year's title favorites are among 21 seeking to win a championship for the first time.
Below are glances at all 32 teams competing at this weekend’s Finals at the Delta Plex. Division 1 competes at 6 p.m. Friday, followed by Division 2 at 10 a.m. Saturday, Division 4 at 2 p.m. that afternoon and Division 3 at 6 p.m. to finish the event. All four Finals will be broadcast live on MHSAA.tv and viewable on a subscription basis. Click here for the Finals draws and other important information.
Division 1
EAST KENTWOOD
Rank: No. 4.
League finish: First in Ottawa-Kent Conference Red
Co-coaches: Stacy Geerts, 17th season
Championship history: Two MHSAA runner-up finishes (most recent 2010).
Top score: 792.76 at the District.
Team composition: 24 total (nine seniors, six juniors, six sophomores, three freshmen).
Outlook: East Kentwood has celebrated league, District and Regional championships this season as it sends out coach Geerts, who has announced her retirement after this weekend. The Falcons have broken 780 points six times, and the District score was the second-highest in Division 1 this season. East Kentwood also has posted the second-highest scores in Division 1 in both Round 2 (233.0) and Round 3 (321.7, tied). Senior Kylie Dunn earned all-Regional honorable mention last season.
GRAND BLANC
Rank: No. 6.
League finish: First in Kensington Lakes Activities Association Gold
Coach: Christina Swansey, seventh season
Championship history: Seeking first MHSAA Finals top-two finish.
Top score: 787.40
Team composition: 25 total (11 seniors, seven juniors, five sophomores, two freshmen).
Outlook: Grand Blanc is returning to the Finals for the first time since 2015. The Bobcats have won six of eight competitions this season, including their league and District meets, and their 777.50 average score ranks fifth in Division 1. Junior Alyssa Sornson earned all-District recognition last season.
GRANDVILLE
Rank: No. 5.
League finish: Second in Ottawa-Kent Conference Red
Coach: Julie Smith-Boyd, 37th season
Championship history: Six MHSAA titles (most recent 2015), nine runner-up finishes.
Top score: 790.42 at the District.
Team composition: 25 total (three seniors, 10 juniors, six sophomores, six freshmen).
Outlook: Grandville graduated nearly half of its team after finishing third at last season’s Finals. But the Bulldogs continue to shine, especially in Round 2 where their best score of 232.3 ranks third in Division 1 this season. They’ve scored overall 783 or higher the last five meets. Senior Taelor Peaks made the all-state second team last season, and juniors Hailey Brower and Mackenzie Corey earned honorable mentions.
LAKE ORION
Rank: Unranked
League finish: Fifth in Oakland Activities Association Red
Coach: Nicole Hills, fourth season
Championship history: Seeking first MHSAA Finals top-two finish.
Top score: 784.68 at the Regional.
Team composition: 27 total (seven seniors, five juniors, 10 sophomores, five freshmen).
Outlook: The Dragons are looking to improve on last season’s seventh-place finish at the Finals, and they’re building momentum with the Regional score 10 points better than their previous season high. Seniors Makayla Smirnow and Brooklyn Smart earned all-Regional honorable mentions last season.
ROCHESTER
Rank: No. 8.
League finish: Third in OAA Red
Coach: Susan Wood, 37th season
Championship history: Fourteen MHSAA titles (most recent 2017), four runner-up finishes.
Top score: 789.7 at the Regional.
Team composition: 25 total (six seniors, 16 juniors, three sophomores).
Outlook: Despite coming off two straight Division 1 championships, Rochester might not seem like a favorite this time. But that assumption is a mistake; the Falcons’ top score this season so far is actually a fraction of a point higher than entering last year’s Finals. Their best round scores also rank among the top five posted in Division 1 this season for all three; Rochester’s best Round 1 of 238.2 ranks third. Senior Christina Shepich and junior Kallie Jordan made the all-state second team last season, while senior Chanler Ross and juniors Ally Khalaf and Elizabeth Kravick earned honorable mentions.
ROCHESTER ADAMS
Rank: No. 3.
League finish: Second in OAA Red
Coach: Brooke Miller, fourth season
Championship history: Class A runner-up 1996.
Top score: 792.46 at the Regional.
Team composition: 24 total (10 seniors, seven juniors, four sophomores, three freshmen).
Outlook: After returning to the Finals last season for the first time in two decades, Adams is back for a second straight season and coming off a fifth-place finish. The Highlanders finished second in the loaded OAA Red before winning their District and coming in second at their Regional. Adams’ top Round 1 (239.0) is the best in Division 1 this season, and its best Round 3 (321.7) is tied for second-highest. Senior Natalie Keaser made the all-state second team last season, while senior Allison Mars earned honorable mention.
ROCHESTER HILLS STONEY CREEK
Rank: No. 2.
League finish: First in OAA Red
Coach: Tricia Williams, 15th season
Championship history: Division 1 champion 2010.
Top score: 790.96 at the Regional.
Team composition: 26 total (three seniors, nine juniors, eight sophomores, six freshmen).
Outlook: Stoney Creek followed up last season’s fourth-place Finals finish by winning the always-strong OAA Red, and the Cougars have scored 781 or better in their last five meets. Their top Round 1 (238.2), Round 3 (321.6) and overall scores rank among the top four in Division 1, and their average total score of 778.6 ranks third. Senior Lindsey Boothe earned an all-state honorable mention last season.
STERLING HEIGHTS STEVENSON
Rank: No. 1.
League finish: First in Macomb Area Conference Red
Coach: Brianna Verdoodt, 13th season
Championship history: Division 1 runner-up 2017 and 2011.
Top score: 794.08 at the Regional.
Team composition: 30 total (10 seniors, 18 sophomores, two freshmen)
Outlook: Stevenson has built on last season’s runner-up finish by dominating this winter after graduating only one athlete from last year’s team. The Titans have won every meet but one league competition, where they finished second, and their average overall score this season of 786.7 is nine points higher than the rest of Division 1 and more than four better than any team in any division. They also have posted the highest Round 2 (233.4) and Round 3 (322.6) scores in the division and the second-highest in Round 1 (238.8). Seniors Lily Juncaj, Izzie Nitecki, Grace Broadworth and Carolina Poliss made the all-state first team last season, while seniors Emma Vitale and Anna Long and sophomore Genevieve DeBuck made the second and seniors Payton Porth and Emily Kleinedler earned honorable mentions.
Division 2
ALLEN PARK
Rank: No. 1.
League finish: Second in Downriver League
Coach: Julie Goodwin, 13th season
Championship history: Division 2 champion 2017 and 2010, runner-up 2016 and 2008.
Top score: 795.18.
Team composition: 24 total (nine seniors, eight juniors, three sophomores, four freshmen).
Outlook: Allen Park broke Gibraltar Carlson’s six-year hold on the Division 2 title last season, and has won its District and Regional this season, the latter ahead of Carlson after Carlson claimed the league title. The Jaguars have broken 791 points three times including at the District and have the top scores in every round and overall in Division 2 this season – with its Round 1 (240.0), Round 3 (322.9) and overall scores the best in Michigan regardless of division. Senior Carolyn Morris and juniors Riley Davis and Lyric Spears made the all-state first team last season, while senior Alianna Madrigal and juniors Sydney Bain and Angela Sammut made the second team and senior Celeste Sarzynski earned an honorable mention.
DEARBORN DIVINE CHILD
Rank: No. 9.
League finish: First in Detroit Catholic League
Coach: Shelley Popiel, first season
Championship history: Four runner-up finishes (most recent 2014).
Top score: 772.74 at the Regional.
Team composition: 28 total (six seniors, seven juniors, nine sophomores, six freshmen).
Outlook: Divine Child will continue as a Finals regular and posted its top two overall scores in the District and Regional for Popiel, a former competitor for the Falcons and the junior varsity coach the last two seasons. Divine Child is particularly strong in Round 1 and Round 3, where it’s top scores of 236.1 and 318.4, respectively, both rank fifth in Division 2 this season. The Falcons placed fourth at last year’s Finals, with senior Kristina Waldenmeyer earning an all-state honorable mention.
DEWITT
Rank: No. 10.
League finish: First in Capital Area Activities Conference Red
Coach: Candace Heskitt, 10th season
Championship history: Division 2 runner-up 2015 and 2007.
Top score: 774.7 at the Regional.
Team composition: 26 total (10 seniors, six juniors, four sophomores, six freshmen).
Outlook: DeWitt opened this season with five straight first-place finishes after missing last season’s Finals, a rarity for the Panthers. They are again among the elite, with that Regional score ranking as the sixth highest in the division for the entire season. Senior Mackenzie Smith made the all-Regional first team in 2017, while seniors Emma Mollitor, Macy Hendershot and Elizabeth VanderWoude also earned all-Regional recognition.
GIBRALTAR CARLSON
Rank: No. 2.
League finish: First in Downriver League
Coach: Ayrn Ziesmer, fourth season
Championship history: Nine MHSAA titles (most recent 2016), five runner-up finishes.
Top score: 793.70 at the District.
Team composition: 22 total (six seniors, two juniors, seven sophomores, seven freshmen).
Outlook: Carlson missed a seventh straight Division 2 title last winter by six hundredths of a point, and the Marauders surely have been looking forward to this weekend. They’ve scored more than 780 points seven times this winter, and their best scores are second to only rival Allen Park’s in Round 2 (232.8), Round 3 (322.2) and overall. Seniors Hannah Pryba, Samantha Zdankiewicz, Katy Bradly and Emily Scheffler all made the all-state first team last year, while seniors Morgan Thomas and Kayla Wise made the second team and junior Summer Bojarski and sophomore Samantha Hamel earned honorable mentions.
GRAND RAPIDS KENOWA HILLS
Rank: No. 4.
League finish: First in Ottawa-Kent Conference Black
Coach: Chris Hudson, ninth season
Championship history: Seeking first MHSAA Finals top-two finish.
Top score: 784.90 at the District.
Team composition: 27 total (six seniors, seven juniors, six sophomores, eight freshmen).
Outlook: Kenowa Hills has reached the Finals every season under Hudson and finished fifth last year. The Knights have taken first or second in all of their competitions this season, and their highest scores rank fourth in Division 2 for every round and overall – their average total score of 764.4 also ranks fourth in the division. Senior Brianne Elliott made the all-state first team last season, while senior Hannah Blauw made the second and senior Megan Titus earned honorable mention.
MUSKEGON MONA SHORES
Rank: No. 3.
League finish: Second in O-K Black
Coach: Amanda Heethuis, 11th season
Championship history: Seeking first MHSAA Finals top-two finish.
Top score: 789.12.
Team composition: 28 total (nine seniors, five juniors, six sophomores, eight freshmen).
Outlook: Mona Shores is making its fourth Finals appearance in five seasons and placed third a year ago. The Sailors have taken first at 10 competitions including their District and Regional and are particularly strong in Round 1 (239.0) and Round 2 (232.3) where those best scores rank second and third, respectively, in the division this season. Senior Grace VanArendonk and sophomores Madison Mills and Logan Potts made the all-state first team last year, while senior Hailey Diffell made the second and junior Erica Dakin earned honorable mention.
MUSKEGON REETHS-PUFFER
Rank: No. 6.
League finish: Third in O-K Black
Coach: Brittany Hoffman, fourth season
Championship history: Seeking first MHSAA Finals top-two finish.
Top score: 773.08.
Team composition: 24 total (six seniors, six juniors, three sophomores, nine freshmen).
Outlook: Reeths-Puffer is making its second straight trip to the Finals after making its first ever a year ago and finishing eighth. Round 1 is a strength, and the team’s top score in that round of 235.3 ranks sixth in the division this season; the Rockets’ average total score of 745.6 also ranks sixth in Division 2. Senior Lydia Dinger made the all-state first team last season.
SOUTHGATE ANDERSON
Rank: No. 5.
League finish: Third in Downriver League
Co-coaches: Stacey Shaw, fourth season
Championship history: Division 1 champions 2012-14.
Top score: 780.74.
Team composition: 23 total (10 seniors, five juniors, three sophomores, five freshmen).
Outlook: One of the state’s top Division 1 programs this decade, Anderson is in the Division 2 Finals this time emerging from the Downriver League with Allen Park and Carlson. The Titans are only behind those two in average total score in Division 2 this season at 766.6. Senior Emily Plaza and junior Mackenzie Livernois earned all-District recognition in Division 1 last season as the team missed championship weekend by finishing sixth at a Regional that produced four of the top five placers at the Finals.
Division 3
CHARLOTTE
Rank: No. 8.
League finish: First in CAAC White
Coach: Yvonne Ridge, 15th season
Championship history: Seeking first MHSAA Finals top-two finish.
Top score: 758.66 at the District.
Team composition: 23 total (one senior, six juniors, six sophomores, 10 freshmen).
Outlook: The Orioles finished sixth in Division 2 last season and could rely on a strong Round 3 to move into the upper half in Division 3; their top Round 3 score of 315.9 ranks third in the division this season. Charlotte won seven of its first eight competitions this winter and stormed back to win its Regional as well. Junior Mady Conklin made the all-state second team in Division 2 last season, and junior Lauren Wietzke earned an honorable mention.
COMSTOCK PARK
Rank: No. 10.
League finish: First in Ottawa-Kent Conference Blue.
Co-coaches: Kathy Felty, 28th season; Stacey Molis, first season.
Championship history: Division 3 champions 2011 and 2009, three runner-up finishes.
Top score: 747.12 at the Regional.
Team composition: 23 total (five seniors, four juniors, five sophomores, nine freshmen).
Outlook: Comstock Park is a regular among the top four in Division 3 and came in fourth last season. The Panthers will work for another high finish in what reportedly will be Felty’s last meet before Molis takes over the program next winter. They’ve finished first or second at 10 competitions this season, including the District. Seniors Jakela Davis and Haleigh Brown made the all-state second team last season, and junior Shaelyn Scott earned honorable mention.
ESCANABA
Rank: No. 7.
League finish: First in Great Northern Upper Peninsula Conference
Coach: Kristopher Langlois, fourth season
Championship history: Seeking first MHSAA Finals top-two finish.
Top score: 748.36.
Team composition: 24 total (nine seniors, eight juniors, two sophomores, five freshmen).
Outlook: After missing last season’s Finals, Escanaba is back for the second time in three seasons and has won all of its competitions but the Regional this winter. The Eskymos’ top Round 3 score of 313.0 ranks seventh in the division, as does its average total score of 732.6. Seniors Victoria Collins and Karlie Ohman earned all-Regional recognition last season.
FLAT ROCK
Rank: Unranked.
League finish: Third in Huron League
Coach: Tanya Vaughn, fourth season
Championship history: Class C-D champion 1998, two runner-up finishes.
Top score: 759.94 at the Regional.
Team composition: 23 total (three seniors, six juniors, eight sophomores, six freshmen).
Outlook: Flat Rock is coming off a fifth-place finish at last season’s Finals, and will make its return thanks to topping its previous best score this season by 26 points at the Regional. That Regional score ended up as the seventh-highest in Division 3 this season, and the Rams’ best scores in all three rounds all rank among the top 10 in the division as well. Senior Maya Schroeder earned all-Regional honorable mention in 2017.
LAKE ODESSA LAKEWOOD
Rank: No. 5.
League finish: First in Greater Lansing Activities Conference.
Co-coaches: Kim Martin, 24th season; Renee Carigon, 23rd season; Melissa Sandborn, first season
Championship history: Seeking first MHSAA Finals top-two finish.
Top score: 759.70.
Team composition: 22 total (five seniors, five juniors, 10 sophomores, two freshmen).
Outlook: Lakewood has finished sixth at the last two Finals and enters this weekend having posted its three highest scores this season over the last three events. The Vikings had won all of their competitions this season before finishing second at the Regional. All three of their high round scores rank among the top seven in Division 3; the Round 1 (232.8) and Round 3 (313.7) both rank fifth. Junior Dixie Moorman earned an all-state honorable mention last season.
MONROE JEFFERSON
Rank: No. 3.
League finish: First in Huron League.
Coach: Sara Griffin, 10th season.
Championship history: Seeking first MHSAA Finals top-two finish.