Gibraltar Carlson beings quest for 13th competitive cheerleading crown
This is Gibraltar Carlson’s time of year.
The Marauders have set the standard in Michigan for competitive cheerleading, winning 12 state championships since 1995 and taking second seven times.
More: Gibraltar Carlson wins 12th competitive cheerleading title
They are the defending champions in Division 2 adding that trophy to the ones they won in 1995, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018 and 2019.
They were the state runner-up in 1996, 1997, 1998, 2010, 2017, 2020 and 2022.
Perhaps the most amazing part of Carlson’s dominance is that it has been done with six different coaches.
Alyssa Tocco guided the Marauders to the crown last year, joining a long line of successful coaches.
More: Dundee's cheerleaders make history
Christian Wilson won for titles (2012, 2011, 2009, 2008), Aryn Ziesmer (2018, 2016, 2015) three, Danielle Jokela (2014, 2013) two and Pat Christiansen (1995), Ann Hajec (2019) and Tocco one each.
Carlson isn’t the only quality competitive cheerleading program in the Monroe County Region.
Flat Rock won the 1998 Class C-D championship in 1998 under Jann Stahr and was second in 1999 and 1995.
Airport was the Class B state runner-up in 2003.
The state tournament journey begins again this week.
Three District tournaments involving Monroe County Region teams will be held on Friday.
Monroe, Bedford will compete in the in Division 1 District at Woodhaven, Dundee, Flat Rock, Ida, Jefferson in the Division 3 District at Grosse Ile and Whiteford in the Division 4 District at Hudson.
Carlson will begin its quest for a 13th state crown Saturday in the Division 2 District at Ypsilanti Lincoln along with Airport and New Boston Huron.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Competitive Cheerleading: Carlson begins quest for 13th state title
