SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The Spring Arbor University competitive cheer team competed in front of a packed home crowd on Saturday, taking home first place with another record-breaking performance on Senior Day.
The McDonald Athletic Center was electric as Spring Arbor delivered a powerhouse performance to claim the top spot at the Cougar Classic #2, finishing with a standout score of 90.20. This was the first time the Cougars have broken the 90-point mark in program history. The team competed with passion and focus, driven by the energy of the crowd and the emotion of honoring their three dedicated seniors:
Anna Edwards,
Sarah de La Grange and
Xandria Stephenson. The Cougars showcased confidence from start to finish with the best standing tumbling of the season, a new tuck basket from freshman
Lexy VanGelder and a near flawless pyramid.
The competition was tight, with Madonna University close behind, with a score of 88.77. The field was rounded out with Bethel University (82.57) and Lourdes University (78.55). Bethel's intermediate team also competed and earned a score of 77.17.
This is what freshman
Kaydence Becker had to say about the competition, "The team performed very well today. I feel like all of us really brought the energy that helped get the crowd so excited. We worked so hard and left everything on the mat and I couldn't be more proud of this team. The seniors will be missed as they are so dedicated, hardworking, and bring so much light all the time. I couldn't thank God enough for everything that he has given me the opportunity to be part of!"
Junior
Lily Taraskiewicz said, "The senior class this year means so much to me because I haven't experienced SAU cheer without them. Xandria, Anna and Sarah are some of my closest friends both in and outside of cheer and I can't imagine taking the mat without them. Today was very bittersweet but I just feel blessed that I got to experience this historic season with them, and I know they will go on to do amazing things!"
Junior
Genevieve Cook said, "I felt that our team's energy today from beginning to end was very high and positive. Our performance was very good, though we've performed better before. I think that performing at home, with a crowd filled with all our friends and family is always a little nerve racking. I am so grateful that our team has so many people that come to these competitions to support us, though it does bring the pressure on when it comes to performing. Today was also Senior Night for us which is very exciting! Our three seniors this year all have great leadership skills and truly make the team the family that it is. I love that we got to recognize and celebrate them and their hard work today."
Senior
Xandria Stephenson said, "I'm so very proud of this performance and the scores even though some things didn't go like we had hoped. That leaves room for improvement next time and I know we will do so much better next weekend! Performing in front of this crowd was so amazing! The love and support radiated from the stands, and it never fails to bring me joy, energy and adrenaline for this routine. I never thought that senior day would come up so fast. I love every single one of those girls that were cheering us seniors on. If I could relive all four of these amazing years again, I wouldn't even hesitate to do so."
Next up, the Cougars travel to Taylor University on Saturday, Feb. 28 for the Taylor Invitational starting at 7:30 p.m.
Cougar Classic #2
1. Spring Arbor – 90.20
2. Madonna University – 88.77
3. Bethel University – 82.57
4. Lourdes University – 78.55
(Bethel Intermediate's score was 77.17, but does not count toward final standings)
TOP 10 PROGRAM SCORES
1. 90.20 – Cougar Classic #2 (2026)
2. 88.20 – Wildcat Weekend Session #2 (2026)
3. 86.11 - Tiger Invite Round 1 (2026)
4. 82.70 - Tiger Invite Round 2 (2026)
5. 82.10 – Wildcat Weekend Session #1 (2026)
6. 80.85 – Trojan Invite (2024)
7. 80.65 – MVNU Invite #2 (2025)
8. 80.47 – Trojan Invite #2 (2025)
9. 78.90 – MVNU Invite #1 (2025)
10. 78.85 – Trojan Invite #1 (2025)
