The goal for all teams is to get a shot to compete in March at the state finals at Grand Rapids’ Delta Plex. Michigan Center should win another Division 4 title. The other three are up for grabs.
DIVISION I
Teams to watch statewide: Hartland, Rochester Hills, Southgate Anderson
Top local team: Rockford
Preview: Renee Dengler’s Rockford team nearly went to the state finals last winter. “This team is back to win,” she said. “They are working really hard to continue where we left off last year, and I am looking forward to watching this team improve every time we take the mat.”
Top local players: Katlin Castor and Kelsea Buchanan of Rockford.
State finals prediction: Rochester Hills over Hartland
DIVISION 2
Teams to watch statewide: Allen Park, Gibraltar Carlson, Divine Child, Mount Pleasant
Top local teams: DeWitt, Mount Pleasant
Preview: Divine Child’s coach Amber Genevich is confident that this will be her team’s season. “I have several key athletes this year… I have some athletes who have been on the team all four years, Emily Penny and Emily Kiefer. They are in all three rounds. We have a different mindset this year and are ready to achieve that title we’ve been striving for year after year.”
Coach Danielle Jokela has had five state title winners and one runner-up in her eight years of coaching at Gilbraltar Carlson, which took first at all regular season meets last season.
Alicia Rudoni has coached three years at Mount Pleasant, and her team was third in the state last season. She said a goal for this season is “to surpass the success that we had last year and to meet all of our team goals. The returning girls from last season are a strong foundation for our team with great leadership from our captains.”
Top players in state: Emily Kiefer and Emily Penny of Divine Child
State finals prediction: Divine Child over DeWitt
DIVISION 3
Teams to watch statewide: Richmond, Notre Dame Preparatory, Comstock Park
Top local teams: Lakewood, Ovid-Elsie
Preview: Heritage coach Christa Klosterman is looking for her team to be improved in tumbling this season. “Madeline Drake is a junior leading the team this year. She works hard at every practice and is very committed to making herself a better team member,” Klosterman said.
Top local players: Madeline Drake, Heritage
State finals prediction: Notre Dame Preparatory over Richmond
DIVISION 4
Teams to watch statewide: Hudson, Michigan Center
Top local teams: Merrill, Pewamo-Westphalia
Preview: Jessica Trefry is expected to have another state championship contender at Michigan Center. “The teams in and around Jackson are getting stronger every year, and they will produce more state contenders in the very near future,” Trefry said. “My team has been very successful, and I would love to recognize my athletes more for the successes they have. I have three seniors that are three-time state champions and now in their senior year are contending for one more. What an amazing story these girls have with the possibility of ending their career as four-time state champions. There are very few out there that get to say that. Yet that is their goal, and they are determined to achieve it.”
State finals prediction: Michigan Center dominates for another state title