As the calendar turns over from January to February, the Prior Lake High School cheer teams find themselves in the midst of a busy schedule, including another trip to compete against the nation’s top cheer squads.
On Friday, Jan. 31, Twin Oaks Middle School will host a send-off performance at 5:30 p.m. This free event will feature the varsity and junior varsity teams performing their routines before competing at state and nationals. The squads will also honor the program’s three seniors, Kylee Gehrke, Reese Guggemos and Payton Soukup.
State competition starts the next day at Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul. Admission is $20 for adults and $12 for students and can be purchased online or at the auditorium’s box office. Competition begins at 11:10 a.m., with the varsity finals tentatively scheduled at 5 p.m. (game day routines) and 7:45 p.m. (traditional routines).
The JV and varsity teams will then head to Orlando, Florida, for the Universal Cheer Association National High School Cheer Championships on Feb. 7-9. The varsity team, which took the national titles in the non-tumbling traditional and game day divisions in 2024, will compete this year in the tumbling divisions. That event is broadcast live online on Varsity TV for a fee.
Boys basketball
The Lakers traveled to Apple Valley to avenge their three-point loss from a few weeks ago, winning 76-73. The Lakers (14-3) struggled to hit shots in the first half and were down 37-29 at halftime, and compounded the issue by giving up seven unanswered points to go down by 16. Prior Lake rallied to take the lead with 5 minutes left in the game. Norbu Jenpa led the Lakers with 22 points, while Cade Wozney added 17. Brayden Thompson added 4 clutch free throws down the stretch and Alex Hulskotter and Colton Gunderson had big defensive plays to clinch it for the Lakers.
Nordic skiing

The girls Nordic skiing team took second place overall at their meet at Mora Vasaloppet Nordic Center in Mora. Three skiers placed in the top 10, including Sophia Basile in second place, Brooke Marquardt in seventh and Eliana Reckmeyer in ninth. The Nordic ski teams will participate in the section meet on Feb. 4.