Members of the Norway High School competitive cheer team, from left, front row: Tessa Castelaz, Riley Hales, Lydia Steinbrecher, Joey Bourg, Erica Hales, Mackenzie Lessor, Ava Johnson and Jenna Ramlow; back row: Coach Hailey Micoley, Deanna Cruz, Kaylee Gendron, Amara Humphreys, Brayah Johnson, Emily Carlson, Isabel Lawnicki, Kori Wilkey, Carlee Erkkila, Suzie Freiberg, and Coach Amanda Schultz.

NORWAY — The Norway High School Varsity Competitive Cheer team ended its regular season on top, earning a first-place finish Saturday at Houghton Lake.

The Knights remained consistent throughout the season, taking first-place honors at every meet. Their victories included the Competitive Cheer Coaches Association of Michigan Scholarship Invitational in Manistique, along with events in Escanaba, Gladstone, Bark River, Norway and Munising.

They are currently ranked fourth overall in the state in Division 4.

“Our ranking this year has been pretty consistent,” said Coach Hailey Micoley. “We did move down to sixth for a week or two, but made our way back up.

The team posted its highest total score of 742 across three rounds at the meet in Munising.

“We also had our best Round 1 score there (Munising), and our best Round 3 score at Houghton Lake,” added Micoley.

The NHS team holds the highest Round 1 score in Division 4 statewide this season, with a 233.40.

On Friday, the Knights will travel to East Jordan High School for MHSAA district finals.

“Going into the postseason we are confident in our girls. They have been working very hard in hopes to take the top spot again,” said Micoley, who is in her fourth year as head coach, alongside assistant Amanda Schultz.

During their time leading the program, the team has advanced to regionals three times and qualified for the state finals last year.

Micoley said they will need a strong week of practice to ensure they are in the best position.

“They have been working really hard to fix issues and make changes that will help so much in the end,” she said.

She added that last week’s meet in Houghton Lake also helped prepare for the postseason. Not only did it allow them to face more competition, but they performed in front of downstate judges.

The top four teams at the district finals will advance to regionals in Hudsonville, Mich.

“They have worked hard this season, and coming off a successful year, they know what it feels like to make it all the way now — and they want it more than ever,” Micoley said. “We are so proud of them and can’t wait to see what the rest of the season has in store for us.”