Competitive cheer leading is a lot more than just shaking pom poms. Athletes need to perform a two and a half minute performance that includes tumbling, stunts, jumps, and dance. Things as small as facial expression and voices all count in the team’s final score. That’s why it was such a big accomplishment for Hinsdale South’s Competitive Cheer Team to qualify for the ICCA Championships this year!
According to Autumn Lambke, a senior cheer captain, the team didn’t know they qualified for the ICCA Championships for the whole bus ride home, until their coaches called them to tell the good news. The girls were ecstatic because none of them had been to this competition before–it was the team’s first time qualifying in years.
“It was one of the [most fun] and…memorable experiences of my life, along with the most nerve wracking!” Angelina Dudlo, a senior cheer captain, said.
Getting to the ICCA Championships was not an easy task. The girls dedicated time year-round, going to cheer camps in the summer and practicing 5 days a week during the season. Having competitions almost every weekend was exhausting, but also allowed for the team’s bonds and trust in each other to grow.
“Skills that once felt like major challenges are now performed confidently and consistently,” Coach Gonzalez said when asked how the team has improved throughout their season.
Another huge accomplishment this season was the team taking third at the West Suburban Gold Conference, which also hasn’t happened in years.
“We went from being the team people were happy to go against because they knew they would beat us to the team people got nervous about,” Dudlo said.
Lambke assessed that the cheer team was able to qualify this year instead of prior years because of the dedication of the entire team and the consistent coaching staff.
“After having 8 coaches during my time in the program, I think we’ve finally got into our groove,” Lambke said.
Coach Gonzalez has been the head coach for the past 2 years and plans to continue coaching. The team now hopes to qualify for the IHSA State Finals as it’s been almost a decade since they have.
