St. Viator cheer squad leaves ICCA satisfied
In the span of one week, St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights proved why they are one of the top competitive cheerleading squads in the state.
After advancing to the final round of the IHSA state championships on Feb. 6 in Bloomington and ultimately placing 10th, they traveled to Springfield on Saturday where they placed 3rd overall among large varsity teams at the Illinois Cheerleading Coaches Association, championships.
"Against all odds, this team got third place," says Chrissie Palumbo, St. Viator head coach. "Their motto this year, was 'No regrets.' They worked hard, and their effort paid off."
The Lions finished behind champion Andrew High School in Orland Hills and second place finisher Thornwood Township High School in South Holland.
Rounding out the top 10 were Downers Grove North in fifth and Benet Academy (Lisle) in 10th, among the suburban qualifiers.
Other local teams competing were Maine West of Des Plaines, Wheaton Warrenville South, Batavia, Glenbard North and Addison Trail in large varsity; Glenbard South in medium varsity; and Lisle Sr. High and Timothy Christian, of Elmhurst, in small varsity.
Despite being assigned to the medium varsity division because of St. Viator's size, they petitioned to "play with the big dogs," as Palumbo says, and remain in the large varsity division.
"The coaches personally wanted the girls to push themselves and learn a life lesson as well," adds Palumbo, who coaches the squad with her sister, Terra Palumbo. They insisted that with "hard work, determination and faith in themselves, they could do anything."
That same formula applied to their junior varsity team. The underclassmen wound up winning the small junior varsity championship.
This is the 26th year the ICCA held their championships, though they have stopped calling it a state championship series.
"We worked with the IHSA when they set up their championships, and turned the state title over to them," says ICCA co-President Mickey Klement of Joliet. "Ours is a championship for our members, but our rubric for judging is similar and many of the judges are the same."
When the IHSA sanctioned competitive cheerleading as one of its 35 sports and activities five years ago, it applied the same state qualifying format, meaning teams had only once chance to qualify for state by finishing among the top five in their division at their respective sectional.
With ICCA member schools, they have multiple chances to qualify, by scoring high enough at one of their regional qualifying tournaments.
"We always have strong competitive teams," Klement says, "but our members feel like the championship competition is more accessible to them."