The cheer team qualified for the MHSAA Division 2 state final for the first time in school history after placing fourth at the regional.

Gibraltar Carlson placed first with 782.40 points, Allen Park placed second with 780.62, Dearborn Divine Child placed third with 756.18, and Kearsley placed fourth with 756.06 at the competition on Friday, Feb. 24, hosted by Fenton.

The Hornets scored 227.50 points in round one, 219.66 round two, and 308.90 during round three.

Sophomore Makayla Shattuck cried when she heard the results.

“It hit me hard because I know we are going to states. All our dedication paid off,” Shattuck said. “We had broken school history, and our school knows cheer is a sport (which) is all I have ever wanted.”

The state final hosts the top four schools from each region: Allen Park, Charlotte, Dearborn Divine Child, Gibraltar Carlson, Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills, Kearsley, Muskegon Mona Shores, and Mukegon Reeths-Puffer.

The final begins Saturday, March 4, at the Delta Plex in Grand Rapids. The Division 2 competition begins at 10 a.m.

Kearsley’s seating will be in Sections 102 and 103 at the Delta Plex.

Junior Madi Jordan is delighted with her team’s accomplishments.

“I am really proud of my team because we are going to states,” Jordan said. “We are going to states and have made accomplishments towards our goals, and to be that is a big deal.”