Oakland Activities Association championship can only be spelled if the words ‘Oxford? and ‘Wildcats? are included.
The varsity boys wrestling team, which wrapped up their league play on Friday, Feb. 4 with the league championship, did their part and capturing the OAA red division crown (see story on Page 13).
The varsity cheer girls took center stage on Saturday, Feb. 5 as Oxford High School hosted the OAA cheer championships. They did not disappoint either as they secured the OAA white division with a second place finish during the event.
‘We are very excited to have earned the league championship, especially considering this is our first year in the OAA,? co-coach Shari Russell said.
This was the first league championship any OHS varsity girls team has won during their brief time in the OAA, which began in the fall of 2010.
The Wildcats needed to finish second to hold off West Bloomfield, who gradually improved over the course of the season.
Oxford and West Bloomfield were only separated by 16 points entering the league championships. West Bloomfield came out and posted a top two score in each round, posting a total of 725.8184.
Meanwhile, Oxford posted scores of 221.5 in round one, 216.0880 in round two and 283.0 in round three, giving the Wildcats a total score of 720.588.
‘Coach McClain and I couldn’t be more proud of our athletes,? Russell said. ‘They gave us three strong rounds and had the highest score in round three, allowing us to stay in second place.?
North Farmington finished third with 717.7360 points.
North Farmington had been in first place in the league standings for most of the season, but an eligibility issue forced them to forfeit their points earned at the seasonal meets.
Russell said their focus now shifts to districts, with the goal of placing in the top four and moving on to regionals.
Knowing that districts were going to be a challenge, the cheer squad is going to be focusing the next two weeks on something they recently implemented into their program, back tucks.
Oxford first showcased back tucks at the Bobcat Cheer Classic on Jan. 29, but held off on doing them at the league championship.
‘The skill is still new for us and is still hit or miss,? Russell indicated. ‘But over the next two weeks we are hoping the girls confidence grows and we can put them on the floor for post season competition.?
Districts will begin on Saturday, Feb. 19 at Midland Dow High School.