COMPETITIVE CHEER: Stoney Creek emerges as state powerhouse
Cougars put together string of six top-10 state finishes
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BY DAN STICKRADT
SENIOR EDITOR
dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com
Twitter: @LocalSportsFans
GRAND RAPIDS — Rochester Stoney Creek’s competitive cheer team has grown up fast.
Only in its 11th season, the Cougars have now put together a string of six top-10 state finals appearances and have quickly emerged as a state powerhouse program in the sport.
“I think we have come a long ways since our first season,” recalled Tricia Williams, the Cougars head coach. “We didn’t have high expectations back them. We do know.”
Stoney Creek opened its doors in 2002-03 as a Class B school and competed at that level for its first two years. In 2004-05, the Cougars’ enrollment spike landed them in Class A, where they have resided ever since that school year.
Stoney Creek first appeared at the MHSAA state finals in 2005, finishing 10th with 646.00 points. That was a seed planted for a fledging program on the rise.
“I think that was the year we really started to realize, as a program, how much hard work it takes just to qualify for the state finals,” said Williams, who used to compete for Cadillac High School in the 1990s. “We saw how successful teams like Rochester were. We wanted to be a team that can qualify every season.”
After a two-year hiatus, the Cougars again qualified for the state finals in 2008 and finished fourth, this time with 789.844 points. That kicked off the long string of state finals appearances, as the six straight finals appearances is one of the longest active streaks in the state.
ON TOP: Rochester Stoney Creek’s competitive cheer program is accustomed to being contenders every season, as the Cougars have posted six straight top-10 state finals finishes in Class A. File Photo
The following year, Stoney Creek finished sixth (787.3672 points). In 2010, the Cougars rose to the top with their first team state championship in any sport, winning the Class A state title with 797.2064 points.
“We got a taste of what it takes, so the coaches can show to (the current athletes) that it can be done,” noted Williams. “That was a great year. We hope we can experience that again.”
Stoney Creek maintained its presence as one of the top teams in the state by finishing sixth in 2011 (801.1640 points), third in 2012 (811.3456 points) and third again in 2013 (777.08). In all, the Cougars reached the state finals at the DeltaPlex in Grand Rapids in seven of their 11 total seasons, including seven of their past nine campaigns.
“We have expectations now to compete for championships at every meet we enter,” offered Williams. “We always expect to contend and finish high every time out on the floor. Are we going to win every time out? No. But we have built up the program to where we always have goals to be one of the best in the state. We hope to win another state title in the next few years.”
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Have photos or video of this event that you wish to share? E-mail pertinent information to www.northoaklandsports.com Senior Editor Dan Stickradt at dan.stickradt@northoaklandsports.com or e-mail results@northoaklandsports.com.
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