The elite cheerleading teams in Michigan will visit Lake Orion High School on Saturday, beginning about 9 a.m., to compete in the 21st annual Lake Orion Cheerfest.
The event is widely viewed as the best cheer competition in the state and is an important stop for many teams who want to compete against the best in order to be the best.
Several teams from the Oakland Activities Association will compete, including Rochester, Stoney Creek, and of course, Lake Orion’s Dragons. Last season these three teams were among the top four in the state championships in Division 1.
Dragon Coach Niki Hills said the win last week at Hartland was a great day but the team needs to carry over their performance to this week.
Hills was also happy that the Lake Orion junior varsity squad won its competition and Scripps Middle School won its division at the Hartland Invitational.
‘It really shows what a great program we have,? she said.
Hills said she often hears from coaches at other schools who tell her that the Lake Orion event is the best in the state and is their favorite each year.
‘I can’t take credit for it, since this is just my second year,? she said. ‘The credit goes to all of the coaches and parents who made this a great event for the past 20 years.?
When the event began 21 years ago, there were only six teams participating. On Saturday there will be 60 teams competing from middle schools and high schools.
The competition begins about 9 a.m. with middle school teams. Varsity teams compete in the afternoon. Anyone wanting to see the high-flying and exciting cheerfest are welcome to come to the event. Admission is $5 and it is the biggest fundraiser for the cheer program each year.
Just be prepared for unbridled excitement and some amazing acrobatics.