Fox Valley Conference champion Crystal Lake Central has been to the IHSA Cheerleading State Finals five times since 2016, with three top-four finishes in that time.
The Tigers hope to earn another trip to Bloomington’s Grossinger Motors Arena from Saturday’s Belvidere Sectional, where most of the area schools will compete in one of four classes (Small, Medium, Large or Co-ed).
Central won the FVC competition Jan. 17 at Huntley. The host Red Raiders were second, followed by Burlington Central and Hampshire. The top five teams in each division at Saturday’s sectionals advance to the state finals on Feb. 4-5 in Bloomington.
The state preliminaries will be Feb. 4, with the top 10 teams moving on to the finals Feb. 5.
“Our team was incredibly proud to win the FVC championship,” Crystal Lake Central coach Elizabeth Lamb said. “Winning felt great and the competition allowed us to gain feedback heading into sectionals this weekend. Our team needs to trust one another, have confidence, and enjoy each moment as they head into sectionals.
“Most of our athletes this year have been a part of the Crystal Lake Central cheerleading program in the past. Last season, we only had two seniors on our varsity team. Our athletes know the culture and what is expected, and in that sense, it’s nice to return to compete with only a few new members.”
Johnsburg, Marengo and Richmond-Burton are the area teams competing in the Small Division at the Belvidere Sectional. Johnsburg finished fourth at state in the Small Division in 2019, then had top 10 finishes in Medium the past two years.
Central was second in state in 2018, third in 2016 and fourth in 2019 in the Medium Division. The Tigers will be joined by Cary-Grove, Crystal Lake South, Prairie Ridge, Woodstock and Woodstock North in the Medium Division. Burlington Central will compete in the Medium Division at the Rolling Meadows Sectional.
Jacobs, Hampshire, Huntley and McHenry are the local schools competing in the Large Division at Belvidere. Dundee-Crown is the lone area school that competes in Co-ed.
Huntley has three top 10 state finishes since 2018, and Jacobs has two in the Large Division. Hampshire has three top 10 finishes in a row at state in the Medium Division and now moves up to Large.
Last year’s state meet was done virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lamb and the other coaches are thrilled to be back to a regular format.
“During our virtual year, there were no stunts, pyramids, or baskets,” she said. “That dynamic of cheerleading being back creates a much different routine than the one that we did last season. In addition, we did all of our routines last year virtually, without a crowd, in our own gym.
“It’s so enjoyable to be back in a gym with spectators this year. We love the competitive environment that has been created at competitions this season. Being at live competitions and in-person is something we are so grateful and thankful for.”
IHSA Cheerleading State Finals
Local top 10 finishes since 2018
(Place in parentheses)
Small Division
Johnsburg: 2018 (4)
Medium Division
Burlington Central: 2018 (7), 2019 (6)
Crystal Lake Central: 2018 (2), 2019 (4), 2021 (8)
Hampshire: 2019 (8), 2020 (4), 2021 (9)
Johnsburg: 2020 (8), 2021 (10)
Large Division
Huntley: 2018 (5), 2019 (10), 2020 (10)
Jacobs: 2018 (6), 2020 (6)
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