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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
