Dakota Competitive Cheer Recaptures MAC White Crown

When ’s competitive cheer team took home its last year, coach Michela Worthy and her team promised themselves it would be the , rather than a once-upon-a-time win.

Out-performing teams from Chippewa Valley High School, Roseville, Warren Mott, St. Clair and Clawson, the Cougars held true to that promise and recaptured the title on Jan. 18 in St. Clair.

“I’ll start crying again, it was just amazing,” Worth said of the win. “This team has really taken their program forward. They have stepped up. They worked hard, stayed focused and knew what had to be done. They were not leaving that school without a championship.”

With 13 of the 24 girls in this year’s squad among those who , this year’s varsity team is no stranger to high-pressure competition and championship ambition.

“I think girls are starting to believe–and much of sports is mental preparation–that they can go in and run with the big dogs,” Worthy said. “We have a very good JV team and those kids are hungry. I see a lot of success for Dakota in coming years.”

And whether this season ends at districts, regionals or with a state championship, Worthy said her advice to the team will remain, “finish the season strong and finish with no regrets.”

The team will compete in a series of invitationals, including the PR Cheer Tournament in Grand Rapids, prior to taking part in districts on Feb. 17 at Stevenson High School. If the team is placed in the top four at districts, it will continue to regionals the following weekend.