On Saturday, Jan 29, the Antioch Community High School varsity cheerleading team qualified for state. This is one of the 15 times the team has qualified for state in its rich history and their eighth time qualifying in a row. Competing at the Belvidere sectional in the medium team division, the team placed third out of 16 teams in their division and scored 93.10 points. Other qualifying teams were Sectional champion Crystal Lake Central and runner-up Grayslake Central. Behind the Sequoits was cross-town rival Lakes, and the final qualifier was Crystal Lake South.
Despite the great competition the sectional had to offer, the Sequoits went in confident.
“Our week before, we had some really good practices,” sophomore Addison Pyburn said. “We had the best full-outs we’ve ever had. So, obviously, I was nervous because this competition really matters to get to stay, but I was really confident”
The team took their confidence right from practice to the competition. Something else in the Sequoits’ favor was the energy in the building; it helped propel them into place.
“I could hear the crowd as soon as we went out,” Pyburn said. “It just overtakes you when you hear everyone yelling for you. I couldn’t even hear the music or anything. So I feel like our energy brought out their energy.”
Energy makes athletes perform their best, but it’s also a feeling they will never forget. The energy the team brought is the reason they will be seen in Bloomington. This upcoming Friday, they will have their preliminary performance that will decide if they perform Saturday. The Sequoits are set to take the floor at 12.00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 4. Streaming information is available on the FHSA website.
TourneyWire Cheer and Dance
