On Feb. 2, 2024, OH Varsity Cheer took the mat at the IHSA state competition in Bloomington, IL, at Illinois State University, rounding out their successful competitive season.
Following the end of their sideline season, OH varsity competitive cheer competed against some of the top schools in the area. After an impressive season and a second place finish at the sectional competition, the team advanced to state for the second year in a row.
“I think people underestimate how small the chances are for us to get here, essentially you have three minutes, it’s not an hour-long baseball game, it’s not a two-and-a-half-hour long football game. We get three minutes, and you get one shot,” said Varsity Cheer Coach Margaret Hill. “It shows how dedicated these kids are because they only get so many [limited] opportunities.”
Not only did the competing team have the support of their parents and coaches, but they also welcomed a group of JV cheerleaders who left school on a “fan bus” to watch their team compete.
“I love being able to see it come together and improve through competitions,” freshman and JV cheerleader Ainslee Gerardot said. “I love how we work together to improve throughout the season.”
The team worked exceedingly hard to perfect every aspect of their routine before they stepped on the mat to compete. With frequent practices and regular stunt and tumbling days, the team was able to polish their routine for the competition season.
“Yes, it’s the fun uniforms and the dances, the music… but overall, it’s competitive athletes coming together as a team, as a unit, as one to showcase [[…]] how hard they have worked throughout the season,” OH junior and varsity cheer member Jules Hawkins said.
The road to state was full of challenges the team had to overcome, but in the end, team members reported that those challenges brought them closer together and developed them in both technical skill and team mentality.
Competitive cheer is a challenging sport. In addition to the physical demands of extreme core, arm, and leg strength, the mental challenges are just as prevalent. A common struggle for cheerleaders is referred to as “mental block.”
“It’s a skill that you have doubts that you can’t overcome, and as a team, overcoming that, it’s a family. W, we’re very supportive of each other, and that support is what helps us get out of our heads and get ready to perform that skill on the mat and hit it as hard as we can,” senior varsity cheer member Lauren Sullivan said.
Commonly, the cheerleader stereotype is perpetuated by popular media such as the movie Fired up! and But I’m a cheerleader, in which cheerleaders are portrayed as ditzy and shallow. Senior varsity cheer member Rachel Zwemke disagrees.
“We work our butts off. Honestly, I don’t think a lot of people realize it,” Zwemke said. “ It’s so hard.”
The team members said they have grown dramatically since their first competition, learning to trust each other and work together as a group rather than as individuals.
“One thing our program teaches is not only how to be a good athlete, but a well-rounded person as well,” Hawkins said.
Overall in the competitive season, the varsity cheer team took first in their Dec. 10 competition, second in their Dec. 16 competition, first in their Dec. 17 competition, seventh in their Jan. 14 competition, sixth in their Jan. 21 competition, second at the SPC Conference, and fourth at ISHA Sectionals.
The team was exceedingly proud of their hard work this season to get to state. While the team did not qualify for the top 10, The team was exceedly proud of their season and the growth they have had as both people and athletes.
“Cheer as a whole has introduced me to a new family, Opening up to other people and being more confident, it’s a big supportive community,” Said Sullivan. “I’m glad that first of all, I can be apart of it and I feel like that community has changed me and made me a better person”
Hello! I'm Fionnuala Quinn. I'm currently a senior at OHS and this is my third year of journalism. Apart from journalism, I am involved in Cross Country, Track and Field, Best Buddies, and horticulture club. I'm so thrilled to serve as EIC this year!
This is amazing Nola! Great Job!