The Three Rivers and Sturgis Champion Force Cheerleading Program (SToRm) recently competed at the State Competition in Grand Rapids where all teams placed within the top four of the state. Both the program’s Division 4 and Division 5.4 teams will go on to compete nationally on July 22.
SToRm’s head coach Mj Kokx has been coaching for eight years, head coaching for three years, and has also spent two years coaching the Niles tumbling program. Supported by assistant coaches Cindy Walters and Taryn Carter, SToRm offers competitive cheer classes for athletes ages four to 18, and class sizes are between 10 to 25 athletes. Classes are offered in both Sturgis and Three Rivers, and cost students $9 a week. No cheer experience is necessary to join one of the teams, with Kokx saying the program strives to create a positive environment and instill confidence that allows kids to grow not only as an athlete but as a person, too.
Kokx was an athlete of the Three Rivers Cheer program for 11 years, and was an athlete with Champion for Athletics for 15 years. “When you’re an athlete sometimes you have the opportunity to start junior coaching teams, and eight years ago this coming fall I was given the opportunity to start coaching for the Sturgis program,” Kokx told Watershed Voice. “From there I eventually started helping coach in Three Rivers, as well, and I became the head coach of Sturgis one year before I became the Three Rivers head coach.”
Kokx said once she became the head coach of both programs she decided to start SToRm cheer by combining most of the Sturgis and Three Rivers teams. “My coach did something similar back in the day with Lansing and Three Rivers, and it is a great way for athletes to make friends and get to know others in the program,” she said.
What sets SToRm apart from other cheer programs, Kokx said, is the low cost of the once-a-week classes, which makes the program accessible. “We are super affordable to make sure that every athlete can have the amazing opportunities our program offers,” she said. “We love to build confidence, friendships, and have fun.” In addition to the $9/week class fee, there is also a one-time per season registration fee of $10.
SToRm participates in one state competition per season and prepares with stunt clinics and weekly practices. Kokx said athletes are encouraged to safely practice at home, as well. The only requirements to participate in the state competition, according to Kokx, is for athletes to come to practices and purchase a uniform. “We have a fundraiser at the beginning of the season to help with costs, if needed,” she said.
At the recent state competition in Grand Rapids all SToRm teams placed within the top four of the state. The final official rankings were as follows:
- Three Rivers division 1 placed 4th.
- Sturgis division 1 placed 1st in the state, making them State Champions.
- Sturgis/Three Rivers division 2 placed 2nd in the state.
- Sturgis/Three Rivers division 3 placed 4th in the state.
- Sturgis/Three Rivers division 4 placed 4th in the state.
- SToRm Elite division 5.4 placed 2nd in the state.
Both the division 4 and division 5.4 teams will be competing at the national competition in Columbus, Ohio in mid-July. Additionally, the SToRm program will be competing in the next state competition in January 2024.
Three Rivers classes will begin on August 30 and registration can be completed on the Champion Force website using the class code 10436. Sturgis classes will begin September 11, and the class code for registration is 10430. For more information, Coach Kokx can be reached via email, or contacted through the Sturgis Champion Force Cheerleading and Three Rivers Champion Force Cheerleading Facebook pages.
Beca Welty is a staff writer and columnist for Watershed Voice.
