Gimme a W! Gimme an I! Gimme an N! Sturgis and Three Rivers have something to cheer about. Members of the SToRm Champion Force cheerleading team recently had adventures that brought them national first and second place finishes.

The cheerleaders worked hard all year, with three division-level teams winning their bids to compete at not one but two national competitions, Head Coach MJ Kokx said. The Elite Whirlwind (Division 5) competed in Biloxi, Mississippi, while the Aftershock (Division 3) and the Solar Flares (Division 4) competed in Lexington, Kentucky.

“All of our teams did absolutely amazing,” Kokx said. “The Elite Whirlwind brought home a first place national title. The Solar Flares took home second in the nation. The Aftershock team also took home a first place title.”

More than 70 cities in Michigan have enough Champion Force cheerleaders for specific division-level teams, up to Division 7. Each city has different divisions depending on members’ ages and skills. The SToRm team features members from Sturgis and Three Rivers.

“SToRm Cheer has a Division 1 team that is ages 4-6. Division 2 is ages 7-8. Division 3 is ages 9 and older. Division 4-5 are tryout teams. As our program continues to grow, we will keep adding levels,” Kokx said.

Division 3 teams are the first that can compete nationally, while Divisions 5-7 are considered the “Elite” level. Elite and Division 4 teams can only be joined by a tryout process.

“Divisions 3 and 4 and occasionally 5 compete under all of the states’ Champion Force Athletics umbrellas,” Kokx said. “Divisions 5.4 and up all can compete under NYAA (the National Youth Activities Association). To qualify for nationals, your routine scores need to be high enough from the previous spring state competition and the current fall state competition. For Divisions 5 and 5.4, your score determines which competition you can go to.”

The 2024 CFA National Competition was held in Lexington, while the 2024 NYAA National Competition was in Biloxi. The NYAA event was first.

“Our Division 5 team took first place in the nation, which was full of emotions for us. We couldn’t ask for a better way to end our season,” Kokx said.

The national champion cheerleaders and their coaches followed their win by running outside. They went straight into the Gulf of Mexico to celebrate. A week later, it was time for the CFA event.

Aftershock athletes listened patiently and anxiously as they waited to hear if they would come in among the top five teams.

“When the Hype Queen (emcee) did not call SToRm Cheer for second place, they knew they had secured first place,” Kokx said. “Many broke into tears of relief, joy, disbelief and more. They stayed respectful, though, cheering on the other team. When it was finally announced that they had won first place, we all screamed, hugged each other, and jumped up and down.”

The next day, it was the Solar Flares’ turn. They also began to cry and scream with excitement and pride at coming in second nationally.

“Large competitions like these can be stressful and our athletes love to be encouraging, enforcing good sportsmanship and positivity towards everyone we meet. We want our team to be known as confident but also humble,” Kokx said.

SToRm Cheer athletes and leadership are proud of the hardworking staff, supportive parents and volunteers, and dedicated coaches. They are all members of a cheer family that is gearing up for the 2024 fall season.

“In January, our state competition will be held in the Detroit area,” Kokx said. “We would love to see and hear our community cheering us on while we compete in a few months.”

SToRm Cheer is also preparing for a round of fundraising. Money raised will be divided in two ways. Some will go to the athletes to help pay for classes, uniforms, and other costs. The rest of the funds will be used to cover the costs of various program needs and pay for scholarships given to program athletes that are headed for college.

“Last year, CFA awarded six $20,000 scholarships,” Kokx said.

Traveling isn’t always possible for SToRm Cheer fans, which is why Kokx encourages rallying at the local level.

“Our small town teams rolled into nationals this summer, brought down the power they hold, and rolled out with victories,” Kokx said. “Like other sports with prestigious wins, it would be amazing to see the community rally behind these athletes and welcome them home with the pride that only small towns can understand and show.”

The public is encouraged to reach out and congratulate Champion Force cheerleaders, put signs of support in their yards, and maybe consider helping the program find a permanent home.

“If you are interested in signing up your athlete for our upcoming fall season, our class code is 13123,” Kokx said. “We offer classes for boys and girls ages 4-18. We have Division 1, ages 4-6, Division 2, ages 7-8, and Division 3, ages 9 and up. Divisions 4 and up are by tryouts only.”

More information is available on team Facebook pages, team Instagram pages, by emailing coachmicf@gmail, or by calling 269-447-3744.

Frank Stanko is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.