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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Sudden cardiac arrest and women, it can happen to women in their 30s

by Paul Arco
OSF Healthcare

ROCKFORD - Every year, about 350,000 people suffer sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) outside of a hospital setting with almost 90% of all cases being fatal.

Photo provided

Nancy Dagefoerde
OSF Cardiovascular Institute

While there is an underlying belief that heart problems such as SCA tend to be more of a concern for men, that’s not the case. In fact, women make up almost 40% of SCA episodes. Just as women may experience different symptoms of heart disease than men, their risk of SCA is somewhat different too.

According to Nancy Dagefoerde, an advanced practice registered nurse with OSF Cardiovascular Institute, SCA can happen to any adult 30 and older, depending on risk factors, family history and other issues such as a heart birth defect.

Dagefoerde says SCA is different than a heart attack, which occurs when there is a blockage in a coronary artery on the outside of the heart. Many times, a heart attack is the cause for the sudden cardiac arrest.

“Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when there's an irregular heartbeat," she says. "We call it an arrhythmia that causes the heart not to beat or have electrical activity anymore. So in general, there'll be no breathing and no pulse when you come upon a person that's having a sudden cardiac arrest.”

“The thing that may be different with women is oftentimes their symptoms are portrayed differently and they often can get missed," says Dagefoerde. "A woman may come to an emergency room or a health care provider and say ‘I'm more tired’ or ‘I'm more short of breath.’ It's not the typical elephant on my chest type of chest pain that a man may have. And so working them up for their symptoms, although they're more vague, is important to be preventive to catch these things early before there's damage.”

Another reason why women are at a higher risk for SCA is because they are more likely to delay seeking care for their symptoms since women tend to prioritize the health of other family members first.

“As all of us get older, the risk is higher for any of these conditions as far as heart disease, diabetes, blood pressure, so we need to be aware that maybe our numbers were okay, or we were doing pretty good when we were in our 20s and 30s," says Dagefoerde. "But as we age, we need those regular checkups and do that good preventive care, because things do change. And women are caring for husbands and parents, even children and grandchildren and they don't often take the time to care for themselves.”

Symptoms of SCA include:

• Fainting
• Dizziness
• Racing or irregular heartbeat
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea

Risk factors for SCA include a previous heart attack, coronary artery disease, a prior episode of SCA, family history and personal or family history of abnormal heart rhythms, among others.

Dagefoerde has a simple message for any patient who is experiencing any potential cardiac symptom.

“This is another area that your health prevention will benefit you. So seeing your physician on a regular basis, having regular checkups, checking your labs, knowing your family history, knowing your own history, and doing all those things on a regular basis and don't ignore any symptoms that you may be having.”

If you see someone drop to the ground and think it could be SCA, call 911 immediately. The faster CPR is started and defibrillation is administered, the better the chances of survival.

Unity Rockets extend winning streak, defeat Williamsville 55-52

WILLIAMSVILLE - Like two evenly matched heavyweight prizefighters, Unity and Williamsville slugged it out toe-to-toe for bragging rights in their Illini Prairie/Sangamo Challenge Shootout game on Saturday. Coleton Langendorf scored nine points in the fourth quarter, propelling the Rockets (21-6), representing the IPC, past the Bullets, 55-52.

Langendorf led his team with 16 points and went 3-for-3 from the free-throw line. He was one of three players to finish with double-digits, joined by Brayden Henry and Brady Parr, who scored 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Unity trailed by one point at the end of the first quarter but took a 25-24 lead at halftime.

Carson Doran of the Bullets led all scorers with 23 points. He added nine points in the third quarter to tie the game at 40. The 6-foot-3 senior made all four of his free throws but fouled out in the fourth quarter. With Williamsville's star player sidelined, Unity meticulously outscored the hosts 15-12 in the final quarter to secure the victory.

Unity will return to the Rocket Center on Tuesday to host the Vikings from Danville for another non-conference challenge. Langendorf and the Rockets will face a formidable opponent as they aim to extend their 13-game winning streak to 14. The varsity game tips off at 7 p.m.

Unity has three regular-season contests remaining. Their biggest challenge comes on Friday when Matt Franks and the Rockets put their undefeated conference record on the line at St. Joseph-Ogden against the Spartans, who are 5-1 in the IPC and 17-7 overall. After Friday's game, Unity will play their final home game against rival Monticello and finish the schedule with a road game at Oakwood.

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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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The moment they've trained for, Columbia Eagles take charge at state cheer

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Four-time state championship program looks to add a fifth after a strong preliminary performance on Friday.

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Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

The Columbia cheerleading team stand ready to take the floor at the IHSA Competitive Cheerleading State Finals. The Eagles emerged as the leaders in the Small School Division after Friday's first-round competition.

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BLOOMINGTON - The Columbia High School cheerleading team delivered a standout performance in the preliminary round of the 2024-25 IHSA Competitive Cheerleading State Finals on Friday, securing a commanding three-point lead in the Small School Division at Grossinger Motors Arena. With a score of 93.82, the Eagles outpaced Breese Mater Dei (90.84) and Wheaton St. Francis (90.60), positioning themselves as the team to beat heading into Saturday’s finals. Their three-point lead — a significant margin in competitive cheerleading — puts them in prime position to contend for another state title.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

The Eagles' Friday performance was the best of the top-25 small school teams in the state. Fourth in the performance order, Columbia turned on the charm for crowd-pleasing routine. The squad is back on stage in the finals at 11:30 this morning, hoping to bring home another state trophy.

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Columbia’s strong showing on Friday made a statement: Bring your A-game. The Eagles, who last won a state trophy in 2023, have finished in the top 10 for three consecutive years, including a second-place finish in 2023 and an eighth-place finish last year. With four state championships and six runner-up finishes in program history, Columbia is no stranger to competing against high-level cheer squads, boasting four state championships and six runner-up finishes in program history. Between 2009 and 2015, Columbia enjoyed a golden era, capturing four consecutive state titles.

This year’s finals will be intense. With Breese Mater Dei and Wheaton St. Francis in the title hunt, Columbia will need to execute their tumbling runs to perfection. Richmond-Burton (90.30) and Oakwood (89.44) rounded out the top five in the Small School Division, highlighting the depth of talent in the state. The Comets from Oakwood are newcomers to championship day competition, having qualified for day two for the first time in school history.

How Competitive Cheerleading is Scored

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.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Lylah Bridges is all smiles while performing a stunt during the Eagles' routine on Friday. Bridges and her Columbia teammates are fourth in today's performance order for small school programs. They will need the same infectious energy today in their bid for a state trophy.

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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.

Meet the team

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

Schedule for Saturday

Small & Medium School Competition

Tickets for Saturday's finals competition are $12 at the door and can be purchased in advance online via TicketMaster or by phone at the City Box Office at (309) 434-2777.

10:00 a.m. - Doors of the arena open to public
10:55 a.m. - Welcome & National Anthem
11:00 a.m. - Small and Medium Team Finals
(Small and Medium team performances alternate)
12:45 p.m. - Small Team Awards
1:15 p.m. - Medium Team Awards

Top ten teams advancing to Saturday's Finals

1 - Columbia 93.82
2 - Breese Mater Dei 90.84
3 - St. Francis 90.60
4 - Richmond-Burton 90.30
5 - Oakwood 89.44
6 - Breese Central 88.92
7 - Lexington 88.70
8 - North Boone 88.60
9 - Wilmington 88.36
10 - Carterville 88.06

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Mission Accomplished: Providence Catholic advances to state cheer finals

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

A member of the Providence Catholic cheer team floats through the air on a tumbling run at the IHSA Competitive Cheerleading State Finals during Friday's prelims.

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BLOOMINGTON - After a disappointing performance in 2024, when the team failed to make the finals, Providence Catholic is back where it belongs—in the running for a state cheerleading title. The Celtics are due for another top-three finish.

"We have been on a mission moving on to day two that started 372 days ago," said three-year head coach Bridget Fox after learning the Celtics advanced to Saturday's title round at the 2024-25 IHSA Competitive Cheerleading State Finals. "We have seven seniors who have felt loss and triumph. They were really determined to make it this year."

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Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Celtic cheerleaders deliver fierce performance at state. The squad looks to impress judges again to bring home state hardware.

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Friday morning, before thousands of competitive dance fans and their peers, the Celtics delivered an impressive performance. The message they sent to the other teams was clear: If you are going to beat us this year, you are going to have to be close to perfect.

Providence Catholic finished the preliminary round in third place after a strong performance in the Medium School division. Earning a score of 94.21, the Celtics cheer squad missed the top spot by 0.29 of a point. Grayslake Central finished the day as the division leader with a 94.50, and Oak Forest landed in second place with a 94.26.

The Providence Catholic cheerleading team has qualified for 17 IHSA Competitive Cheerleading State Finals in the past 20 years. Today at Grossinger Motors Arena, the Celtics claimed their 11th top-10 appearance in the state series.

The program has won one title (2013) and brought home two second-place (2007, 2016) and two third-place (2011-14) trophies.

This year's squad includes Annie Smith, Ava Chevalier, Caleigh Cumbee, Elissa Haddad, Emma Jirik, Fiona Warner, Grace Ogarek, Hayden Kinsella, Isabella Alejo, Kailey Velasco, Katelyn Walker, Lauren Lanz, Lilly Dillman, Lily Ingram, Lucy Lombardo, Madison Ternik, Mia Zvejnieks, Mia Piano, Payton Jerik, Reese Guzior, Rowan Tone, Sofia Felice, Violet Hassan and Zoey Xydakis.

Tickets for Saturday's finals competition are $12 at the door and can be purchased in advance online via TicketMaster or by phone at the City Box Office at (309) 434-2777.

Schedule for Saturday

Small & Medium School Competition

10:00 a.m. - Doors of the arena open to public
10:55 a.m. - Welcome & National Anthem
11:00 a.m. - Small and Medium Team Finals
(Small and Medium team performances alternate)
12:45 p.m. - Small Team Awards
1:15 p.m. - Medium Team Awards

Top ten teams advancing to Saturday's Finals

1 - Grayslake Central 94.50
2 - Oak Forest 94.26
3 - Providence Catholic 94.21
4 - Morris 93.88
5 - Cary-Grove 91.68
6 - Benet Academy 91.19
9 - Crystal Lake Prairie Ridge 90.20
10 - Lemont 89.79

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