Schools
Providence Varsity Cheerleaders Bring Home Championship Title
The Celtics take 1st at the IHSA Cheerleading Tournament in Bloomington.
Providence Catholic High School's varsity cheerleaders made history Feb. 2 by earning the school's first State Championship title at the Illinois High School Association Cheerleading Tournament in Bloomington.
With a score of 93.72, the cheerleaders gave PCHS its 26th State Championship title. The varsity cheerleaders placed second in State in 2007, third in 2011, fourth in 2012 and fifth in 2009.
The squad won its IHSA Sectional Cheerleading Championship title for the third year in a row, said Jamie O'Brien, PCHS communications director. "Furthermore, they had an undefeated season." They took first place and were named Grand Champions at the Lincoln-Way North Invitational. At the Joliet West Invitational, this year's squad captured first place with the highest score of the competition, where they achieved the Best Tumbling Award and Best Stunting Award.
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At the Oak Forest Invitational, the squad came home with a first place title and a Grand Champion trophy. They also took first place at the Grayslake North Invitational, said O'Brien.
The Celtics are planning to travel to NCA Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky later this month when the team vies for their fifth consecutive national title.
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PCHS took time to cheer for the accolades that made the squad tops this year at an all-school pep assembly on Feb. 4.
During the assembly, the State Champion cheerleaders performed their award-winning routine with an amazing level of talent and precision. The 21 members of the 2012-2013 varsity cheerleading team were awarded their 1st place medals by Doug Ternik, PCHS athletic director.
The members of the varsity cheerleading team are: Seniors: Brianna Chibe , Homer Glen, Alyssa Gialamas, Frankfort, Courtney McEnery, Orland Park, Alyssa Meurer , Homer Glen, Lauren Murphy, Orland Park, Roslyn Parayo, Orland Park, Gabriella Senese, Lemont, Bailey Sineni, Homer Glen and Taylor Vennetti , Orland Park.
The juniors on the squad are: Brittany Charnot, Orland Park, Morgan Duesing, Tinley Park, Skylar Evans, Mokena, Meghan Marth, Mokena and Tori Vennetti, Orland Park.
Cheerleader Maryssa Presbitero, Orland Park, is a sophomore. The freshmen varsity cheerleaders are: Allison Bebar, Plainfield, Sera Cummings, New Lenox, Bridget Fudala, Homer Glen, Nicole Glynn, Lemont, Dana Joseph, Orland Park, and Carson Sineni, Homer Glen. The team is led by Laura Duesing, head coach and Beth Gornick, assistant coach.
O'Brien said, Duesing is in her third year at PCHS as varsity cheerleading coach.
Duesing said, “Coach Beth Gornick and I knew in our hearts that this team had the talent and potential to be state champions. They set their focus on one competition at a time, trying to out-do themselves and their scores with every performance. The Celtics are known for their elite partner stunts, basket tosses, pyramids and tumbling, so it was a real crowd pleaser when they spelled out P-R-O-V-I-D-E-N-C-E with running fulls during the cheer portion of their routine.
"This season, they also made vast improvements in their jump and motion skills. It was exciting to coach such an all-around skilled team, but I’m even more grateful to coach this loving group of student-athletes and have great admiration for how the nine seniors led the team with unity,” said Duesing.
Check the Providence Catholic High School website to learn more about the school.
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