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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Oakwood cheer team advances at state, Comets to compete for a state title on Saturday

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Oakwood's Rylan Wilson and the Oakwood cheerleading team perform during the preliminary round at the IHSA Competitive Cheerleading State Finals on Friday. The Comets advance to the championship round on Saturday for a shot at the small school state title. Earlier that morning Wilson was honored as an All-Stater in the sport.

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BLOOMINGTON - Oakwood brought their A-game earlier today to qualify for the championship round at the Illinois High School Association's Competitive Cheer State Finals. They were one of two squads from their sectional that advanced to Saturday's title round at Grossinger Motors Arena.

Finishing in fifth place, the Comets earned an 89.44 from judges after their performance. Carterville slipped into the trophy round at #10, collecting an 88.06 to advance.

The Comets punched their ticket to state last week via a third-place finish at the Mascoutah Sectional behind DuQuoin, who finished first, and Harrisburg in second. Neither team advanced out of the preliminary round.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

A member of the Oakwood cheer squad shows her spirit during the squad's routine on Friday.

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"Going into the championship round is an example of just how much hard work we put into this season, the unseen practice by the judges, and the dedication from every single athlete," said Rylan Wilson, the only male athlete on the 12-person squad. In his third year competing in the sport, Wilson was honored as an All-Stater by the Illinois High School Cheerleading Coaches Organization (IHSCCO) before the preliminary round started. "I just hope we give it 100% again. I don't mind what place we finish in. It's just all or nothing."

One of two team captains, Jeslyn Rhodes, is happy to be part of the first team from the program to make it into the trophy round at the state cheer meet.

"Honestly, it just means so much. It shows how much hard work we all put in," Rhodes said. "We proved how well we can work together."

She gave a shout-out to fans and appreciated their support during their preliminary routine. "Our school came out to support us, and I'm just glad it was worth their time."

Joseylinda Nunez, the team's other captain, was proud of her teammates and their work ethic throughout the season.

"They really did work hard," she said, describing the effort the team put into learning two new routines at the beginning of the season. They focused on their 'Three Cs' - Confidence, Consistency & Clean. "I feel like our strength is us coming together and our energy."

This year's team is composed of 12 students, including Jett Pierce, Jeslyn Rhodes, Joseylinda Nunez, Rylan Wilson, Ireland Harrison, Khloe Estock, Chloe Vinson, Harlow Woodard, Karleigh Nelson, Arianna Finley, Brynlie Wait, Leanne Snow, Jaelyn Estock, and Sophia Aquino. The Comets are coached by fourth-year head coach Matteson Lee.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Members of the Oakwood competitive cheer team perform clean moves with confidence. Their attention to detail vaulted the program into its first foray in school history in day two competition at the annual IHSA state cheer competition.

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The Oakwood cheer program has qualified for state seven times in the last decade. The Comets failed to make it out of the Mt. Vernon section last year, finishing behind St. Joseph-Ogden. The top five programs to advance last year were Breese Central and Mater Dei, Paris, New Berlin, and Robinson.

Now one of 10 teams, the Comets take the stage at noon to demonstrate their technical ability and competitive spirit while focused on bringing home the first state cheer trophy in school history.

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.a

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

State Small School competitive cheer results

1 - Columbia 93.82
2 - Breese (Mater Dei) 90.84
3 - Wheaton (St. Francis) 90.6
4 - Richmond (R.-Burton) 90.3
5 - Fithian (Oakwood) 89.44
6 - Breese (Central) 88.92
7 - Lexington 88.7
8 - Poplar Grove (North Boone) 88.6
9 - Wilmington 88.36
10 - Carterville 88.06
11 - Somonauk 87.6
12 - Taylor Ridge (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 (H.S.) 85.44
20 - Glasford (Illini Bluffs) 83.56
21 - Elmhurst (Timothy Christian) 83.32
22 - Pontiac 82.8
23 - Elgin (St. Edward) 81.39
24 - Roxana 81.14
25 - Farmington 80.8

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