The girls varsity cheer team competed at their IHSA sectional competition at Belvidere North High School on Saturday January 27.

“I was so nervous but confident at the same time going into sectionals,” junior Graci Leineberg said. “I knew we had the potential to qualify it was just a matter if we had a clean routine or not.”

The girls competed at a chance to qualify for the IHSA state competition next weekend in Bloomington, IL. At the end of the competition, the top five teams advanced to state and Antioch was one of them.

With schools such as Crystal Lake Central who had a phenomenal performance, the competition was grueling with talent. As the girls stepped onto the mat, their hopes were high and they were ready to perform for the judges. The girls had a clean routine with only the mistake of one stunt coming down, but with the level of difficulty in their routine it didn’t put them too far behind.

As the Sequoits finished the routine, everyone could feel the excitement in the air.

“I felt incredible,” Leineberg said. “It was the first time this season that we walked off the floor being completely ecstatic and having our coaches in tears. I felt super accomplished and proud of the team.”

When it came time for awards, every athlete, coach and parent was waiting for the judges to announce which five teams would advance to state. Antioch was announced as the second place winners behind Crystal Lake Central which qualified them for the state competition.

Based off sectional scores, the Sequoits are in fourth place going into the prelims portion of the state competition. So wish the Sequoits good luck as they compete on Friday, February 2 at a chance to qualify for the state finals held on Saturday, February 3.