Three cheers for competition winners

Elk Grove High School cheerleaders knew they had to overcome obstacles if they were to defend their state championship over the weekend, but they didn't think weather would be among them.

When they arrived in Bloomington Thursday, for the two-day competition, they learned that Friday's snowstorm had forced officials to eliminate the preliminary round, leaving squads only one shot, in Saturday's finals.

"It takes a lot to 'wow' me," said their head coach, Jeff Siegal, "but they nailed it. They performed a nearly perfect routine."

Elk Grove and its college-styled cheering led the 25 schools in the coed division, while Palatine High School finished third, and Libertyville placed fifth.

Among medium-sized schools, Antioch High School placed the highest among the rest of the Daily Herald coverage area schools competing, finishing fourth. Wauconda placed sixth and Vernon Hills placed ninth among the top 10.

"Every year, the talent gets better and better," said Robin Gwinn, Antioch head coach. "This is the most talented squad I've had in my 15 years here."

Among large schools, Lake Park High School's cheerleading team, which has won their sectional the last two years, finished highest among area schools, in fourth.

Conant High School, led by their coach and assistant principal Danielle Houser, saw their highest state finish ever, placing sixth.

Elk Grove entered the competition as the only two-time defending champions among the 100 high schools competing, and with a team consisting on only one returning boy, of the nine-member team. One key member was injured.

Elk Grove also had to compete first in their flight and hope their scores held up. They did, and consequently Elk Grove's cheerleaders have solidified themselves as the team to beat, achieving a rare three-peat, winning the title all three years the Illinois High School Association has sanctioned competitive cheerleading as a sport.

School officials traveled with the team to see them compete, including Principal Nancy Holman and Assistant Principal Rick Mirro.

This morning, the school will acknowledge the state champions with an all school assembly beginning at 8:10 a.m.

"It's really special, especially since they had to defend their championship," Mirro said. "We're really very proud of our program."