Jacksonville Cheer advances to ICCA State Finals

Claire Van Aken, staff writer

Jacksonville put their best foot forward at the New Berlin Cheer Invitational last weekend, December 16, 2018. The team brought home a first place ranking in the medium varsity category and ultimately qualified for the State final on January 5 and 6, 2019. The competition will be held at the Bank of Springfield Center in Springfield, Illinois. Not only will the girls from Jacksonville head to the finals, but all other qualifying teams in the state will compete for the State title. Other teams in the area such as Routt Catholic High School, Beardstown High School, West Central High School, and New Berlin Junior-Senior High School also advance to the final all in the small varsity category.

The team consists of seniors Molly Carmody, Haley Degroot, Abbie Evans; juniors Cheney Brewer, Jocelyn Nordwall; sophomores Sage Kershaw, Abby Olson, Alyssa Miller; and freshmen Bella Grojean, Lauryn Cave, and Mya Lonergan. The coaches this year are Mary Watts and Lauren Gregory.

The routine going to state is full of difficult, yet impressive stunts, packed with school pride, and shows off the girls’ exquisite tumbling skills. The girls have pushed the envelope with their routine and beat the odds of advancing to state in such a short amount of time. Sophomore, Sage Kershaw says, “JHS Cheer didn’t have a routine two weeks ago and won first place and an invitation to State this weekend.” All of the girls are ecstatic with their results.

Congratulations to our Crimson Cheerleaders!  We are very proud of you!