Photos by Scott DeCamp | CatchMark
MOUNT PLEASANT — Only eight teams throughout the state qualify for the MHSAA’s competitive cheer state finals in each division.
Thursday at Central Michigan University’s McGuirk Arena, two of them competing in the Division 4 state finals were representing the West Michigan Conference and they did it quite well.
Conference champion Hart finished in fourth place, its highest finish ever, with 739.56 points. WMC runner-up Mason County Central took eighth for the second-straight year with 713.12 points.
Perennial power Hudson ran away with the state championship with 771.04 points. It’s the Tigers’ fourth straight state title and fifth in six years.
All in all, coaches and members of Hart’s and Mason County Central’s teams were pleased with their respective performances on the big stage. They were proud to rep the conference well, too.
“I think a lot of the time, like, the West Michigan area, we’re kind of overlooked because we’re not usually on top when it comes to sports,” Hart senior Avery Ramseyer said. “I think it says a lot that we can come to state and (perform) pretty well.”
Michigan Center was runner-up with 745.20 points, followed by Adrian Madison third with 741.16. Merrill placed fifth (730.20), Lawton sixth (728.24) and Pewamo-Westphalia seventh (724.02).
Hart scored 220.10 in Round 1, 215.06 in Round 2 and 304.40 in Round 3. Mason County Central recorded 216.00, 199.72 and 298.00, respectively.
Hear from Hart and Mason County Central, and see some highlights, in the videos below:
