Ypsilanti -- More than 50 high school and collegiate pompon teams from throughout Michigan competed in the junior varsity, varsity and collegiate divisions at the Mid American Pompon 30th Annual State Championship at Eastern Michigan University on Feb. 15.

The first place teams in each division are as follows:  Junior Varsity – Canton High School, Collegiate – Michigan State University, Varsity Class C/D – Ithaca High School, Varsity Class B – Freeland High School, Varsity Class A – Division II – Livonia Stevenson High School and Varsity Class A – Garden City High School.

Each team performed a traditional Mid American style, original pompon routine. The routines featured athleticism, visual effects, rhythmic timing, showmanship and outstanding kicklines.  Teams were judged on 10 categories by a select group of pompon experts.  There was a guest performance from the Detroit Spark, the dance team of the professional indoor soccer team, the Detroit Ignition.

All participating high school teams had to qualify at a Mid American Regional Competition held at two locations in January to earn the right to compete at the state level. 

Mid American Pompon credits the state-wide adaption of its pompon style at the middle school, high school and collegiate levels to its successful summer camps held at Northwood University, individual team day camps and the ongoing pom and dance training it offers to youths in kindergarten and through college at Mid American Studio located in Farmington Hills.

This year marks the 30th Anniversary of Mid American Pompon. It was created in 1979 by its president Karen Blazaitis. The Mid American Studio is a state-of-the-art facility which offers expertise instruction in fitness, dance and pom for youths and adults.  It serves as a training ground to potential pompon girls, studio All Star teams and the Mid American All Star Team, which is comprised of more than 200 girls from throughout Michigan. 

The team performs in several local and national events each year.  The studio is located at 24425 Indoplex Circle in Farmington Hills. For more information please visit www.pompon.com.