Schaumburg Athletic Association seventh-grade cheerleaders win state championship

Congratulations to the seventh-grade cheer team from the Schaumburg Athletic Association on winning the Illinois Recreational Cheerleading Association State Championship at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates.

These amazing group of athletes made it into the top 3 in their division. They placed third out of eight teams on Friday, Dec. 7, and qualified for finals.

On Sunday, Dec. 9, these girls took the mat and performed with so much heart and passion, hit an amazing routine and won first place.

Amanda Heydecker volunteers and leads this team with an army of junior coaches (Maggie Wheatley, Anna Traversa, Michelle Picardi and Molly Flanagan).

Together they pride themselves on developing young athletes, and building physical and mental strength, skills and confidence. Last year, the team did not make it past the first round and the girls promised themselves they would work hard as a team to make it to the championship this year and they did. When taught that you never lose, you learn. Their hard work paid off and now they are champions.