Suburban cheerleading teams prep for state finals

For the past two years, the Wheaton North High School cheerleading team has fallen just short of making it to state — half a point short, to be exact.

This weekend, the squad members will have their dreams fulfilled as they take the floor at U.S. Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington during the IHSA cheerleading state finals.

“It was a big deal for them,” said Wheaton North head cheerleading coach Antonia Steinmiller. “They've been working hard all year.”

More than 35 suburban schools will be represented at the competition, where each team gets just one or two chances to impress the judges. Each year, coaches say, the competition gets greater, with teams adding trickier, more adrenaline-rushing stunts.

As Lake Zurich High School varsity cheerleading coach Pam Bonnevier says, it's “not your mom's cheerleading.” Instead, tumbling and a difficult opening pyramid are her squad's strengths.

“It's not just standing on the sidelines and clapping anymore,” Steinmiller said. “It's hard.

The kids have to stay focused, they have to stay motivated. It's a long season.”

Most of the cheerleaders have been practicing every day since early last summer in hopes of making it to state. They do weight training and running throughout the year and spend many hours working together before and after school.

“I don't think people realize how athletic you have to be to be a cheerleader,” Steinmiller said. “It's hard on their bodies.”

The state competition is broken into four divisions: small team, medium team, large team and coed team. Today, 25 teams will compete in each division. The top 10 from each will have an opportunity to perform again Saturday.

Each team is limited to three minutes to do a routine. During that time, they can play music for only 1 minute and 30 seconds.

Up to 20 cheerleaders can compete on the large and coed teams. The limit is 16 on the medium teams and 12 on the small.

Teams are judged out of 100 points.

There are 10 categories worth 10 points each: Five are dedicated to skill, such as tumbling, stunts and pyramids, while the other five are considered “non-skill,” such as synchronization and transitions.

“All 25 teams that go are very, very talented,” Steinmiller said. “We all have really unique routines that score high.”

For example, last year's coed champion, Conant High School, scored a 91.18. The runner-up, Buffalo Grove High School, scored an 88.44. Both schools are in the running again this year.

This will be the Rolling Meadows High School's seventh consecutive year at state. Co-head coach Barb Golik says that built-up experience helps keep new members from getting overwhelmed.

Returning members warn the newcomers about how bright the lights are and how they won't be able to see everyone, in comparison to earlier competitions, Golik said.

The very different environment seems to affect squads getting to state for the first time, she added.

Though the physical preparations for this competition are similar to the rest of the season, the mental side of things will be different for teams that have already met their overriding goal of getting to state.

“I think our mindset is a little bit different from it was going into other competitions,” Golik said.

“They're going to put it all out there and do whatever they can to get to finals. We tell them they really have nothing to lose and a lot to gain.”

Today will mark only the second state final appearance for Huntley High School's varsity cheer squad — a young team of 34 girls, of whom 20 will be competing.

“I'm nervous,” said freshman Gina Gapastione. “I've never been to any type of state competition before. I have faith in us that we'll do great.”

The team placed 22nd at the state finals two years ago under a different coach.

“I think the work ethic with the girls now is way better,” said head coach Kimberlee Hoffmann. “We are a lot more talented this year (than) we've ever been. Our tumbling is our strongest suit, and partner stunting.”

Hoffmann said the goal is to place in the top 15, but “as long as we improve from last time, that's really what we're shooting for.

“It's just an honor to actually be there.”

• Daily Herald staff writers Eric Peterson, Madhu Krishnamurthy and Bob Susnjara contributed to this report.