Buffalo Grove, Hampshire win state cheerleading titles
A showdown between Buffalo Grove and Conant high schools played out again Saturday at the Illinois High School Association state cheerleading championships.
After finishing back-to-back last year, when Conant won the coed division and Buffalo Grove was the runner-up, the two schools flip-flopped those standings this year, when the Bison of Buffalo Grove reclaimed the state title.
The action took place at U.S. Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington during the 10th annual state series hosted by the IHSA.
"The talent level from all these teams was amazing," said Buffalo Grove Coach Jeff Siegal. "Our kids worked so well as a team. They wanted to hit their routine, and they did. They are mentally tough and work together and have fun."
The Bisons' routine featured full tumbling sequences - with every member of the squad doing flips and handsprings, even the seven boys on the team - before transitioning into pyramid stunts, with highflying basket tosses and difficult arabesques.
"When they hit the top of that pyramid, we just started going crazy," added Siegal, who has coached a coed team to the state championship seven of the 10 years the IHSA has mounted the competition, including the first five at Elk Grove High School.
Conant's squad nearly matched Buffalo Grove's difficulty and athleticism, as each member - guys and girls - filled the floor with aggressive tumbling and clean formations.
"I'm so proud of our kids, no matter what position they placed," said Amanda Schweinebraten, who coaches the Conant team with her twin sister, Christina. "We just wanted them to leave everything they had out on the floor, and they did."
Barrington, Elk Grove and Lake Park also finished in the top 10, after advancing their coed teams to the state finals.
Hampshire High School's cheerleading team pulled off something of an upset, winning its first state championship in the medium school division, after earning its first berth to the state series.
"We've had a lot of injuries and a lot of ups and downs," Coach Rachael Fischer said, "but in the end, we came together as a team. They were loud, energetic and just sold it to the judges."
The Hampshire Whips emerged champions, ahead of downstate Columbia, which were the runners-up, and Lincoln-Way West, which placed third. Grayslake Central also placed in the top 10.
St. Edward's High School in Elgin was the only small school in the north and west suburbs to advance to the state finals after Friday's preliminary competition. The Green Wave placed seventh, while downstate Breese Central Community High School won the division.
Among large varsity squads, Lincoln-Way East in South suburban Frankfort, won its second consecutive state championship, while Lockport High School came in as state runner-up.
"They really worked hard this year, both academically and athletically," said Lincoln-Way East Coach Julianne Polad. "We had 11 new members this year, and we love elite tricks, so that made it more of a challenge, but they did it."
The Wildcats from Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville placed third among large schools, with their high-energy routine that featured one difficult tumbling sequence after another. The cheer squad nearly matched its dance team, which won the state championship last week.
Also finishing in the top 10 in the state among large schools were Crystal Lake Central, Lake Zurich, Rolling Meadows and Wheaton North high schools.