Lake Orion High School’s competitive cheer squad headed to neighboring Oxford on Feb. 9 for the Oxford Mardi Gras Cheer Invitational.

With the district competition in sight, the team was sure to get a good look at their future competition.

The ladies were geared up to get a glimpse of Oxford, Clarkston and Romeo; all teams they would meet again in a week for districts.

The Dragons also had a chance to compete against heavy-hitters from Rochester and Troy Athens.

The Dragons maintained high scores throughout the three rounds, outscoring nine teams and finishing with a total overall score of 770.72 and taking home second place.

First place went to Rochester with a winning score of 777.10, less than 7 points ahead of Lake Orion.

Next, the ladies stayed at home to host the district competition on Feb. 16.

The fieldhouse was packed with excited fans hoping to see a Dragon victory

The first place team would take home the title of District Champions and the top four teams would also advance to the Regional Competition on Feb. 23.

It was a close comptition throughout all three rounds.

It was clear from the beginning that the Dragon’s biggest competition would be Grand Blanc.

The first round went to Grand Blanc, which scored 235.90 to Lake Orion’s 234.80.

The second round also went to Grand Blanc but with much smaller margins. Lake Orion totaled 228.60, just behind Grand Blanc’s 228.66.

In the third round the Dragon’s overcame Grand Blanc by less than half a point with a total score of 318.90 to Grand Blanc’s 318.50.

Lake Orion’s total came out to 782.30, less than a point behind Grand Blanc’s score of 783.06.

The ladies finished in second and will continue on to the Regional Competition at Hartford High School on Feb. 23 in hopes to qualify for the MHSAA State Finals. — M.K.