FRUITPORT – The Fruitport competitive cheer team continues to own the O-K Silver, after winning the conference  championship for the third straight year.

But the Trojans have not had the same sort of success in the postseason.

They have not made it out of districts and qualified for regionals since 2019, and are very much hoping to change that on Friday, when they compete in the Division 2 district tournament at Cedar Springs High School.

It won’t be easy,  because only a few teams advance through the state tournament. There will be 14 teams competing at Cedar Springs, and only the top four will keep their seasons alive and qualify for regionals.

Fruitport Coach Saqora Conklin believes this year’s team has a better chance to make it than in previous seasons.

“This team has more grit, and the team mentality that we can all do it together is higher,” Conklin said. “Today (at practice) there was a lot of excitement. They are ready and determined, They know what the goal is,

“There is some nervousness there – I am nervous! – but they are ready to do what they have to do.”

Regardless of how that comes out, however, the Trojans were extremely proud to clinch their third consecutive conference crown this season with a clean sweep of the three O-K Silver jamborees.

They took first place at the first jamboree at Belding High School on Jan. 7, then repeated that feat at the second jamboree in their home gym on Jan. 14.

Fruitport wrapped up the championship with yet another No. 1 finish at the third and final O-K Silver jamboree at Comstock Park High School on Jan. 28.

They had to battle to the end to wrap things up. The Trojans scored a 220.50 in the first round and 700.50 in the second round and trailed Comstock Park by two points headed into the third.

They responded to the pressure, however, posting a big 297 score in the third round – stunts – and finishing 15 points ahead of Comstock Park – 715.44-700.50. That kept the conference championship at home for another near.

All of the Trojans’ scores that night were their highest of the season.

“After having a week of snow days, and coming back for the conference finals, the team did an incredible job of picking back up after the breik,” Coach Conklin said. “Although the girls didn’t know (the exact score after the second round), they knew we were close and had to make up those points in round three.”

The athletes were thrilled to keep the conference title streak alive.

“It was a surreal feeling,” said senior Adalyn Bedford. “Knowing that we had it for the past two years I’ve been on this team, and it being my last year, I was hoping we’d take it again to end on a good note. And I’m glad we got to keep that title.”

“It’s like, every year, we push ourselves harder, and to see it pay off like that just makes it all worth it,” said junior Chloe Anderson. “Standing there, knowing we did it again, it’s just an amazing feeling to have and be able to share with the team!”

Now the Trojans would like to leave their mark on a broader stage.

They have had good practice in non-conference competition this season. Their goal was to finish fourth or better at the various meets they competed in – just like they will need to do at districts –  and they pulled that off.

They finished in first place at the season-opening Competitive Cheerleading Coaches Association meet at Grand Rapids West Catholic.

They were third at the Mona Shores Invitational, fourth at the Northview Invitational, third at their own Fruitport Invitational, third at the Greater Muskegon Athletic Association meet, and third at the Grand Haven Invitational.

Now they want to keep it going at districts on Friday, which would put them back at the regional level. They have come frustratingly close in recent years, finishing fifth last season, sixth in 2024 and fifth in 2023.

“It’s our goal every year, but this year the team has the taste from last season when we were fifth, so the desire for top four is huge!” Conklin said.

Members of the team are Chloe Anderson, Adalyn Bedford, Carley Bishop, Bailey Butterfield, Bri Chiaverini, Sophie Christoper, Addison Fairbanks, Autumn Grady, Kailynn Greinke, Riley Lawson, Izzy Mingus, Evelyn Orr, Madyson Prout, Kendall Prout, Journey Rufener, Kinley Rufener, Rylee Rufener, Anija Sheilds, Brystol Tenhove, Aavryn Twa, Ellie Vancura and Emma Wiggins.