Final stand: Powerhouse teams cheering on the bubble for few dance tickets

FINAL TEST: Competitive cheer teams will have quite a test to pass this weekend when regional competition takes palce across the state. Staff Photo | Dan Stickradt

BY DAN STICKRADT

SENIOR EDITOR

dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com

LAKE ORION — Anyway one twists and turns it, a state-ranked competitive cheer team will not escape Saturday’s Division 1 regional at Lake Orion.

Part of the 12-school field features Rochester, defending state champion Rochester Stoney Creek and Lake Orion, along with Sterling Heights Stevenson and Southgate Anderson — all which have logged weeks in the state’s top 10.

Who will be the team left on the outside looking in this weekend?

“There’ s no room for error,” said Nancy DeAvila, Lake Orin’s veteran coach and meet director. “You have to be really right. It goes down to the way someone’s feet are pointed. If you have a major fall, then it will probably cost you.”

Only the top four teams from each will advance to the state championships March 4-5 at the DeltaPlex in Grand Rapids.

Stoney Creek is the defending champion, as the Cougars claimed their first title in any sport last March. Even that title doesn’t guarantee a free pass to this year’s dance.

“You really have to fine tune everything,” said Stoney Creek coach Tricia Williams. “I think everyone knows that there’s a bunch of good teams at the regional and it’s going to be difficult getting through.”

Rochester last missed a state final in 1982, just before longtime coach Susan Wood took over the Falcons’ program. Rochester has finished in the top four at every state meet dating back to 1989, when the Falcons won their first title under the old MCCA banner.

Rochester was fourth last season, its lowest state finish since claiming fifth in 1988. Since the MHSAA adopted the sport in 1994, Rochester has finished in the top four every year.

“For the longest time, we were struggling with the third round,” said Wood. “I think we finally doing a better job with that stunt round. I’m hoping that they are starting to get it. I think it’s going to go down to the third round. I think that’s going to decide who goes and who does not.”

Also among the field is Rochester Adams, which edged Troy for fourth place at least week’s district finals.

Oxford competes in the west side regional, also held Saturday. The Wildcats were fourth at their district competition, but way off the pace and are not expected to challenge for a top-four berth.

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Category: High School, Lake Orion, Oxford, Prep Wraps, Rochester, Rochester Adams, Rochester Stoney Creek