Story posted Friday, February 5, 2010
Lion Heart
St. Viator Cheerleaders Overcome Late Injury To Earn Spot At State Finals
By BOBBY CHILVER Journal Sports
They say a champion is measured by how you respond to adversity.
If that's the case, there was no better champion last weekend than that of the St. Viator cheerleading squad.
The Lady Lions have long had successful teams but haven't made it out of the IHSA sectionals since cheerleading became a sanctioned sport in 2006.
That is until Saturday.
The Lions scored a 88.37 to finish second at the Grayslake sectional and advanced to their first ever IHSA state final this weekend in Bloomington.
Viator's accomplishment is a significant one, as the school's enrollment of barely over 1,000 pales in comparison to the other large team opponents like Stevenson, Schaumburg, Lake Zurich and Warren.
But what makes their story so great isn't about numbers, it's about a team stepping up when they needed it the most.
The Lions had been working on their routine since November and performed it several times at various competitions.
But on the Tuesday before sectionals, everything changed.
Veteran team member Giselle Hilgert injured her elbow during practice and would not be able to compete.
Hilgert played a key part in the Viator routine as a flier and pyramid base.
With her out, Alex Tuccori, Jaclyn Catanese and Maggie Dickey were called on to replace Hilgert in three of the stunts she played a major role in. Practice was a bit shaky leading up to the routine so no one knew exactly what to expect.
"I was very unsure," coach Chrissie Palumbo said. "I was nervous that their nerves would get to them. I knew they had the talent and ability."
But when it was time to hit the mat, St. Viator nailed it.
"It was completely amazing," Palumbo recalled. "They did it perfect."
The Lady Lions' large team score was second only to Stevenson in the sectional and their finish will have them competing with the state's best this weekend.
The girls are scheduled to perform in the preliminary round at 7:25 p.m. tonight (Friday) in the U.S. Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington. If they are among the top ten teams, they'll compete one final time in the Saturday finals.
"My main goal is just for them to do their best and have fun," Palumbo said of this weekend.
Because no matter the results, overcoming the odds has made these girls champions the St. Viator community can be proud of.
Speak Out!
Comments are edited first by Journal staff before running in print and appearing online.