SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The Spring Arbor University competitive cheer team hosted a dual meet on Saturday against Mount Vernon Nazarene University where they also had the privilege of recognizing their five graduating seniors.

The team was excited to redeem themselves from Cougar Classic #1 in January, where their nerves got the best of them and had a poor showing. This weekend they competed with 16 athletes on the mat – the most the team has ever competed with. Freshman Makayla McGarry made her debut on the competition mat after an elbow injury during the first week of the season. Her return allowed the team to compete with a complete 16. While this performance was solid, it was not without its challenges. There was a fall during group stunt #1 that resulted in a 1.0 deduction, but the team overcame and continued to perform. As the pyramid was building, the music cut out and the team did not skip a beat. All athletes – both from SAU and MVNU – immediately started counting and the team finished the performance without its music. The second half of the routine was a hit and head coach Hannah Philson made the decision that they did not need to perform again, which is an option when dealing with a technical difficulty.

While scores were tabulated, the team had the privilege of signing two incoming freshmen for the 2025-26 school year, Lexy Vangelder from Hanover and Brooklyn Kelly from Ottawa Lake.

After the signings, the Cougars celebrated the hard work and dedication from their five seniors Nicole Clement, Cathrine Govier, Lauren Johnson, Katelyn McGarry and Caleigh Tyler. This class will be the first class to have competed all four years with Coach Philson and their impact on the team cannot be overstated.

"This class is the first that I have been with for all four years, and it is also the largest graduating class I have had so far," said Philson. "They have come so far from a scrappy squad of five on the mat to the strong 16 we showcased today. Our success, and the future success of the program, is standing on the shoulders of the teammates that have come before us. This class will be missed, but we know that their leadership and dedication has set a strong foundation for the program moving forward."

Here is how two of the athletes reflected on the day:

Senior Caleigh Tyler shared, "I think we put out a routine we could be proud of and had fun doing it even after our music stopped playing halfway through the routine. We kept it together and scored really well. I know the team will do even better next time!"

Senior Katelyn McGarry shared, "I feel like the day went well! I am proud of how the team performed, and how positive the attitudes were. I am extremely proud of how well the team reacted when the music cut out! We didn't miss a beat, and we worked well to make sure the routine continued smoothly!"

The competitive cheer team has a bye week before they travel to Taylor University to compete twice on Saturday, Mar. 1.


SAU Cougar Classic #2
1.Spring Arbor – 72.25
2.Mount Vernon Nazarene University – 71.80


TOP-10 PROGRAM SCORES
1.80.85 – Taylor University (2024)
2.80.65 – MVNU Invite #2 (2025)
3.78.9 – MVNU Invite #1 (2025)
4.78.33 – Wildcat Invite 1 (2024)
5.78.20 – Cougar Classic #2 (2024)
6.77.96 – 2024 Crossroads League Championships (2024)
7.76.17 – Cardinal Invite (2022)
8.74.80 – Wildcat Invite (2022)
9.74.60 – 2023 Crossroads League Championships (2023)
10.74.55 – Wildcat Invite 3 (2023)