The biggest IHSA cheerleading competition took place in Bloomington this weekend, and Minooka was there. 

In total, 25 teams qualify throughout the state to compete with the best of the best on Feb. 3-4. Minooka varsity cheer was one of those teams that made it to the big stage of the state finals. 

Minooka varsity cheerleading placed 24th at state. With a phenomenal and beautiful  routine, they finished out strong. 

“It wasn’t our best performance but we pushed through and still ended the season as a team,” Kylee White, junior, said. 

As the routine started, senior Chloe Kokaljj threw an incredibly hard pass. She crossed the floor doing an Arabian through to full. Then, they also had a beautiful basket being performed by junior Brenna Williams and her bases underneath her. 

“Our opening was really strong, with Chloe’s opening pass, and the opening baskets, even our walk-on was confident,” Quincy Harris, senior said. 

Following, the girls had other strong suits, the elite stunt, the level of tumbling, and their pyramid. 

“The pyramid was the strongest part of the routine. Everyone was doing facials and it was the end of the routine so it’s always the hardest,” Jovanna Valenti, junior, said. 

As the team prepared for the state competition, they had a person come in to help them make the routine more visual. He added motions for the flyers and made the girl’s facials better. 

As another way to congratulate the girls on going to state, the parents supported the girls by decorating the bus for the state, having a big cheering section at all the competitions, and providing gifts to show their love for their athletes. 

Rori Locke is a member of the JV cheerleading team.