In a world full of different athletic programs, cheerleading at MV doesn’t always get the most recognition. However, this year, MV Cheer has taken it to the next level. Considering the Varsity Cheerleading team hasn’t made it to the IHSA State Prelims in four years, Cheer is back.

Although the cheerleaders are overjoyed by making this accomplishment, it did not come easy. On their last two practices before IHSA Sectionals, silence entered the gym as a freshman member fell to the ground after tearing her ACL. 

With the news she would be out for the season, the team wasted no time and continued to push forward in the little time they had. 

As they continued to practice, with only one practice left they received even more devastating news. Kaylie Ratcliff,‘24, had an enlarged spleen and could not compete to risk rupturing it.

Even this didn’t stop the MV Cheer team from pushing to pursue their goals. At their last practice, they had no hesitation in quickly reworking the routine to make competing at sectionals possible.  

After a multitude of obstacles, the day came for the cheer team to finally take the mat. One advantage the team had is that for the first time in history, MV got to host sectionals. 

This allowed the team to have the comfort of being in their home gym after the previously stressful weeks. 

At 10:20 A.M, MV Cheer confidently went onto the mat to compete. To their surprise, the routine went better than expected, besides a few minor errors.

 Even with the routine going well, the team did not have expectations to qualify due to the high competition and the rough lead-up. Knowing the top 5 teams qualify, waiting for awards was a very nerve-racking experience.  

As the judges began to announce the teams, the excitement came over MV as they announced they received a fifth place and would advance to the state finals in Bloomington, IL. Without a doubt, MV’s sectional cheer competition will be one remembered by many.