The Libertyville High School cheerleading squad just missed qualifying for the state competition last season.
Coach Erin Vance said the squad gained valuable experience, and she is hoping they can be in the mix again after last season’s sixth-place sectional finish.
The sixth-place finish was the team's best in the large varsity division since the Illinois High School Association has run the cheerleading state championship.
"The goals we have set for the team are to improve on our sixth-place sectionals finish and to work much better as a unified team,’’ Vance said. "We had a large turnover from last year's squad, but we also gained a lot of talent from the incoming freshman class, as well as our former JV athletes."
Vance said the competition season begins in October, but in the meantime, there will be a lot of practice sessions, as well as cheering on the Libertyville football team.
"Currently, we are just in fall sideline cheerleading for football," Vance said. "All IHSA cheerleading teams will have to have another tryout for the competitive season later this fall. Many cheerleaders will return to cheer in the winter, but we do have some that only cheer for football season, and we also allow cheerleaders who did not try out for the fall season to come out for the winter season."
So now Vance and her coaching staff are putting the squad through its preseason practice.
"Fall season is in full swing," Vance said. "It is going very well thus far. I have a very motivated group of athletes this year who give their all each day, which is a dream for a coach, no matter what their talent level and success are."
Vance said this year’s young squad has just two seniors -- Allison Nelson and a first-time cheerleader, Troy Sanchez.
Other members of the team include Maddie Austin, Erin Custod, Taylor Filicette, Taylor Heimert, Chloe Latka, Audrey Manfredini, Sara Matheo, Victoria Moy, Ana Norena, Sara Reimer, Erin Scheuneman and Alex Weaver.
Other coaches include Julianne Luick and Kristina Maestranzi.
Vance said Libertyville will take on Stevenson, Rolling Meadows, Grayslake North and Huntley this season, as well as host the sectional competition.
Vance said she will have a better idea of how her squad stacks up after it begins the competitive portion of its season.
And even then, she might not know.
"In cheerleading, it is very hard to judge your chances until at least the first or second invitational, and even then, a lot of times, it comes down to the draw for sectionals," Vance said. "There is also a new scoresheet being used this season. We have no idea how it will affect the placement and overall scores of teams. Based on how hard my team works, we could be a dark horse in the large varsity division. Lake County is known for its medium varsity and coed teams. We hope to be a part of the mix for the large varsity division."
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