Celtics finish third at state cheer

The Providence Catholic cheerleading team places in the top three in Class 2A at the state dance championships.

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Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

BLOOMINGTON - Members of the Providence Catholic cheerleading team celebrate with their third-place trophy at the IHSA Competitive Cheerleading State Finals on Saturday. After finishing in fifth place in Friday’s preliminary round, the Celtics cheer squad moved up in the final standings, scoring a 94.68 behind champion Morris and runner-up Grayslake Central. Story and more photos later this week.

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TAGS: Providence Catholic finishes third at state, IHSA state cheerleading, Celtics Varsity Cheerleading squad. Providence Catholic cheerleading photos

High-flying routines and top teams are set for IHSA Competitive Cheer State Finals

Illinois’ top high school cheer teams return to Grossinger Motors Arena for the IHSA Competitive Cheer State Finals. After advancing from five sectionals, teams will compete Friday for a place in Saturday’s championship round.

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Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

A Breese Central cheerleader strikes a pose during last year's state cheerleading prelims. The Cougars hope to build on last season's fourth place finish to take home gold this weekend.

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BLOOMINGTON - Under the glare of arena lights, the music hits and a team explodes onto the mat — ponytails snapping, smiles locked in place, and every movement sharpened by months of repetition. Parents lean forward in their seats, classmates rise to their feet, and thousands of cheer fans hold their breath as tumbling passes slice across the floor, stunts climb skyward, and the routine surges into a high-octane dance sequence that shakes the building. It is a controlled chaos that demands equal parts strength, precision, and nerve.

In the span of two minutes, athletes sprint from full-speed tumbling runs into shoulder-level and extended stunts that require flawless timing and absolute trust, then drop seamlessly into choreography that blends power, rhythm, and expression. That blend of gymnastics, acrobatics, and performance is what will be on full display this weekend at Grossinger Motors Arena, where the Illinois High School Association Competitive Cheer State Finals return to Bloomington with the state’s best teams chasing championships under the brightest lights of the season.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

A Lemont tumbler floats through the air during the 2025 state finals. LHS, who won last year's Class 2A title, is in the hunt for another state title.

The top three teams from each division advanced out of sectionals, with 26 schools per division vying Friday for 10 spots in Saturday’s championship round. Preliminary competition begins at 9 a.m. Friday, with small and medium teams competing first, followed by large and coed divisions in the afternoon and evening.

Sectional champions reflect the depth of talent statewide. At the Buffalo Grove sectional, Hersey claimed the coed title, Schaumburg won the Class 3A championship, and Grayslake Central captured the Class 2A crown, finishing ahead of Antioch in second and Lake Forest in third.

The Reavis sectional delivered some of the weekend’s tightest margins. Reed-Custer edged Herscher by one-tenth of a point to win the Class 1A title, with Wilmington finishing third. Lemont, the reigning Class 2A state champion, added another sectional title to its resume, while Sandburg took the top spot in Class 3A and Shepard won the coed division.

At Dundee-Crown, Richmond-Burton earned the Class 1A title, Crystal Lake Central prevailed in Class 2A, host Dundee-Crown won Class 3A, and defending coed champion Belvidere North secured another sectional victory.

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Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Wilmington cheerleaders perform during last year's preliminary round. Advancing to the finals, the Wildcats finished third in last year's final standings.

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Southern Illinois was represented through the Edwardsville sectional, where Breese Central and Vienna shared the Class 1A title. Triad advanced after winning the Class 2A sectional, and Lincoln-Way East captured the Class 3A championship to punch its ticket to state.

The Oswego sectional rounded out the field with Lexington winning the Class 1A title on a 92.00 score, ahead of Farmington at 88.07. Providence Catholic, last season’s Class 2A runner-up, took the Class 2A sectional title over Joliet Catholic Academy and Marian. Lockport claimed the Class 3A championship as expected, and St. Charles North advanced after winning the coed division.

Friday’s preliminary schedule opens with Session 1 from 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. for small and medium teams, with doors opening at 8 a.m. Session 2 follows from 3:30 to 9 p.m. for large and coed teams, with doors opening at 2:30 p.m. The order of performance is available through IHSA listings, and both preliminary and final rounds will be streamed live on the NFHS Network.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

The Oakwood cheerleading squad reacts after their name is announced as a finalist for the championship round during the 2025 cheer state finals. The Comets finished 10th in the state last year.

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Spectators should note that GoFan digital ticketing is not available for the state finals. Tickets are priced at $12 per session, with children in arms admitted without a ticket. The box office information line is 309-434-2679, and tickets are also available through Ticketmaster. Grossinger Motors Arena may offer digital ticket options, though any convenience fees are set independently.

By the end of Friday, the field will be cut to the final 10 teams in each division, setting the stage for Saturday’s championship performances and another chapter in Illinois competitive cheer history.

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Spartan cheerleaders advance to ICCA State Championships in January

St. Joseph-Ogden’s cheerleading team opened its season with a second-place finish. The performance earned the Spartans a berth at the ICCA State Championships.

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by Clark Brooks
The Sentinel

PONTIAC - The music hit, the count started, and for 2.5 minutes in a Pontiac gym, everything the St. Joseph-Ogden cheerleaders had trained for came down to clean landings, steady grips and unbroken focus. When it was over, the Spartans did not need a scoreboard to know they had delivered. The judges confirmed it soon after, awarding SJO a second-place finish and a ticket to the ICCA State Championships.

The runner-up showing came Dec. 6 at the team’s first competition of the season in Pontiac and earned the Spartans a berth at state on Jan. 10 at the Bank of Springfield Center in Springfield. It is a familiar stage for much of the roster. Last January, SJO finished 20th out of 31 teams at the ICCA Small Varsity state competition, facing a field that included area programs such as Oakwood, which placed 10th, along with Salt Fork and St. Thomas More.

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Photo courtesy Mandie Gaines

SJO cheer team poses with their second place trophy from the Pontiac Invitational.

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This year’s squad is young but seasoned. The roster features no seniors, with leadership coming organically from a group heavy on sophomores and juniors who already know what state-level pressure feels like. Rather than naming captains, the team relies on experience and inclusion.

Photo courtesy Mandie Gaines

“The team naturally looks to the older athletes during decision-making,” coach Ava Meyer said. “That said, the girls are incredibly inclusive and open to ideas from every member of the team.”

That collective approach matters in a sport where there is no margin for error. Competitive cheer offers one uninterrupted routine, no timeouts, no substitutions and no second chance. Every stunt, tumbling pass and eight-count must land cleanly, or points disappear quickly.

Meyer said preparation since Pontiac has been detailed and deliberate.

“We’re focusing on the judges’ feedback from our last competition in Pontiac and applying those notes to our routine,” she said. “We’re breaking things down piece by piece, leveling up our stunts, and continuing to clean and perfect every section of the routine.”

The demands of competitive cheer stretch well beyond what many casual observers realize. Athletes must blend tumbling skills that range from cartwheels to standing tucks, explosive power for jumps, upper-body strength for stunting, flexibility for clean lines and the endurance to maintain performance quality for the full routine. Precision, timing and facial expression are scored alongside difficulty and safety, leaving little room for lapses.

Photo courtesy Mandie Gaines

Meyer sees those demands shaping more than just routines.

“This team is unbelievably supportive of one another, and there is never a dull moment when they’re together,” she said. “Their enthusiasm for learning new skills is infectious, and they constantly push themselves, and each other, past what they thought they could achieve.”

Consistency, she added, is what separates strong teams from great ones.

“Being a competitive cheer team takes drive, effort, and an incredible amount of energy,” Meyer said. “When even one of those elements dips, it becomes visible in the routine, which is why I’m so proud of how consistently this team shows up with all three.”

In her first year coaching the Spartans, Meyer said the season-opening performance only reinforced her confidence in the group.

“I have never seen so much talent and determination in a single team,” she said. “These girls continue to grow and excel in everything they do. I couldn’t have asked for a better group.”

The roster includes juniors Iris Davis, Ava Smoot, Faith Jackson, Leah Gaines and Peighton Reim; sophomores Abby Reynolds, Addison Walsh, Samantha Ryan and Sorena Welsh; and freshmen Addison Wright and Presley Ideus.

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Setting the bar higher, this year's SJO competitive cheer season sets the foundation for future success

Photo courtesty Emily Spisok

Members of the St. Joseph-Ogden competitive cheerleading team pose for a group photo after competiting at the Mascoutah section in January.

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ST. JOSEPH - Precision, teamwork, and dedication defined the St. Joseph-Ogden High School cheerleading squad’s 2024-25 season as the team made an impact in sideline spirit and competition.

"This year’s team received numerous compliments at regular-season games and competitions from coaches and squads alike as they showcased their abilities," said four-year head coach Emily Spisok. "I’m very proud of the team’s progress this year and their coachability. I look forward to building on this year’s success."

Under Spisok and assistant Savannah Woods, the Spartans began training in May 2024 for their 10-month season. Balancing regular practices with performances at football games in the fall and basketball contests in winter, the team also added two home soccer games to its schedule while refining its routine for the competitive cheer season.

The St. Joseph-Ogden varsity cheer competition season ran from Dec. 7, 2024, to Feb. 1, 2025, culminating at the IHSA sectionals. The squad's hard work paid off early as SJO placed third in its first competition against a field of 21 teams, earning a spot at the Illinois Cheerleading Coaches Association (ICCA) State Championships.

In one of the state's toughest sectionals, the Spartans delivered a strong performance. SJO finished 11th in the small school division behind St. Thomas More and South Fork at the Mascoutah sectional, where the top three teams finished sixth or higher at the state finals in Bloomington a week later.

"The biggest challenge was illnesses and injuries. The team really pushed through and worked hard on all necessary changes to improve the routine each week," Spisok said, reflecting on the Spartans' season.

Led by seniors Addison Funk, Samantha Uden, Ava Worley, and Charley Wright, St. Joseph-Ogden's roster also featured returning sophomores Iris Davis, Leah Gaines, Faith Jackson, Peighton Reim, and Ava Smoot. Freshmen Aubrey Matheny, Abby Reynolds, Alysson Robinson, Samantha Ryan, Addison Walsh, and Sorena Welsh brought new energy to the program.

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Colombia Eagles wins small school cheerleading title

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

BLOOMINGTON - Members of the Columbia High School cheerleading team perform during Friday's preliminary competition at the IHSA Competitive Cheerleading State Finals. The Eagles went on to win this year's state title on Saturday battling against the nine top teams in the state in the Small School Division. Earning the division top score of 93.82, Columbia finished ahead of Breese Mater Dei (90.84) in second place, and St. Francis (90.60) in third.

This year's Eagle cheerleading team includes Lucy Moore, Daylen Stevens, Mia McConachie, Morgan, Kelley, Sophia Walters, Lylah Bridges, Maddie Mudd, Ava Stanley, Maya Dill, Addie Ramage and Ellie Davis. The is coached by Robbie Walters, who is assisted by Marla Rose.

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Lemont defends title to win 8th IHSA state championship cheer title

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

A Lemont cheerleader poses at the top a stunt during her teams routine at state cheer in Bloomington. The team rallied back from tenth place on day one to first to win this year's title.

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BLOOMINGTON - Whoops! They did it again. The Lemont cheer team made state history on Saturday by capturing the title in the Medium School Division at the IHSA Competitive Cheerleading State Finals. It marked their second consecutive victory and a state-record 16th trophy for the program.

In a story that will become school legend, Lemont rebounded from a shaky opening performance in the preliminary round on Friday. The team squeezed into the finals, finishing 10th, just 0.34 points ahead of Lake Forest and trailing the Crystal Lake schools Prairie Ridge and Central. After a couple of near drops early in their routine, their performance turned timid, lacking the usual energetic vigor.

Nearly 24 hours later, the team achieved the improbable, soaring from last place to a state title. Never before in Illinois state finals history has a cheer team so dramatically reversed their fortunes, going from the lowest score in prelims to the highest in the finals.

Lemont scored 89.79 on Friday and surged to 97.50 for the title. Providence Catholic, who tallied 94.21 in preliminaries, improved to 97.22 to secure second place. Grayslake Central took third with 93.54. The Rams led the division after the first day with 94.50.

Lemont, along with Lockport Township, Oak Forest, Sandburg, and Conant High Schools, are the only five programs to qualify for state every year since the IHSA adopted the sport. Together, these programs have maintained a storied 20-year tradition of 'making it to state'.

Medium School Division Final Results

1 Lemont 97.5
2 Providence Catholic 97.22
3 Grayslake Central 93.54
4 Morris 93.09
5 Oak Forest 92.15
6 Benet Academy 91.86
7 Highland 91.16
8 Prairie Ridge 89.7
9 Crystal Lake Central 89.24
10 Cary-Grove 89.06

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Roxana gave it their best shot at state cheer, Shells finish in the sport's Top 25

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Morgan Hudson and Macy Hart prepare to lift teammate Morgan Bauer for a stunt during the performance at this year's state cheer championships in Bloomington. It was the ninth trip to state in program history for the Shells Cheerleading program.

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BLOOMINGTON - They may not have finished where they wanted in their sport, but one thing is for sure: members of the Roxana cheerleading team can be proud knowing they finished the season as the 24th-best team in Illinois.

The Shells' performance suffered a setback when a stunt collapsed during their preliminary round performance during Friday's IHSA Competitive Cheerleading State Final prelims. Coupled with a few other minor deficiencies, the team earned an 81.14, finishing behind Timothy Christian (83.32) in 21st, Pontiac (82.8), and St. Edward (81.39).

"These athletes have faced every challenge with determination and a positive spirit, proving that success is about more than just trophies — it’s about heart, teamwork, and perseverance," Roxana head coach Stephanie Palen told RiverBender.com last week after locking in their spot to Bloomington at sectionals. "They continue to make Roxana proud."

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Members of the Roxana cheerleading team pose for judges while doing a stunt during their routine in the state cheer prelims.

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Advancing out of the Mascoutah Sectional in fifth place behind Greenville, Roxana traveled to Grossinger Motors Arena for the ninth time in program history. The Shells, who won three sectional titles, have one top-10 finish out of nine state appearances under Palen.

Competitive cheer is a lot harder than it looks. Athletes need solid core strength, the cardio endurance of an 800-meter or mile specialist in track, a sense of timing/rhythm, and basic gymnastic skills. It is a high-intensity sport that requires strength, flexibility, and explosive movement. It can take years to develop tumbling skills like back handsprings or a Barani and make them look easy.

How Competitive Cheerleading scoring works

Competitive cheerleading is a high-energy sport that combines powerful athleticism, complex group choreography, and synchronized teamwork. Teams are scored on a 100-point scale, with judges evaluating teams across three major categories.

In Building Skills, stunts are assessed for difficulty, execution, and creativity, while pyramids are judged on stability, visual appeal, and synchronization. Tosses are evaluated based on height, technique, and timing, making precision and teamwork critical in this category.

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Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Roxana's Keersten Murphy shows her spirit during her team's moment in the spotlight at state.

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The Tumbling & Jumps category focuses on athleticism and technical skill. Standing tumbling, such as back handsprings and layouts, is scored for difficulty and execution, as are running tumbling passes like fulls and whips. Jumps are judged on height, technique, and synchronization, requiring both power and precision from performers.

The last category is Choreography & Overall Effect which emphasizes the artistry and presentation of a team's routine. Smooth transitions and creative formations are essential, while crowd-leading ability measures how well teams engage and energize the audience. Overall performance, including energy, showmanship, and the routine’s overall impression, should tie everything together to create a memorable and high-scoring performance.

This season's Shells cheerleading team

The Shells are coached by Palen, the only head coach for the program since it was added in 2012. Her assistant is Sam Sies. This year's team members include Keersten Murphy, Lexi Chamberlain, Macy Hart, Vada Arview, Morgan Bauer, Kaegen Carriker, Grace Huch, Alyssa Vetter, Sophie Copple, M'Lynn Skaggs, Raegan Martin and Morgan Hutson.

Friday's Preliminary Results

  1 - Columbia 93.82;
  2 - Mater Dei 90.84;
  3 - St. Francis 90.6;
  4 - Richmond-Burton 90.3;
  5 - Oakwood 89.44;
  6 - Breese Central 88.92;
  7 - Lexington 88.7;
  8 - North Boone 88.6;
  9 - Wilmington 88.36;
10 - Carterville 88.06;
11 - Somonauk 87.6;
12 - Rockridge 86.86;
13 - Johnsburg 86.6;
14 - Pinckneyville 86.48;
15 - Marengo 86.32;
16 - Joliet Catholic Academy 86.06;
17 - Greenville 85.98;
18 - Harrisburg 85.5;
19 - DuQuoin 85.44;
20 - Illini Bluffs 83.56;
21 - Timothy Christian 83.32;
22 - Pontiac 82.8;
23 - St. Edward 81.39;
24 - Roxana 81.14;
25 - Farmington 80.8;

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