St. Charles East takes 3rd at IHSA sectional, advances to state finals

CARPENTERSVILLE, Ill. — St. Charles East’s Fighting Saints varsity cheerleading team delivered one of its strongest routines of the season Saturday at Dundee-Crown High School, placing third at the IHSA Sectional and securing a berth to next weekend’s IHSA State Finals in Bloomington.

Competing in a deep sectional field, the Saints turned in a clean, high-energy performance that judges rewarded with a score in the mid-90s, according to meet information. The score was enough to comfortably place St. Charles East among the top teams and extend its postseason run, continuing a steady climb after earlier successes on the invitational and conference stages.

St. Charles East’s routine showcased a balanced blend of difficulty and precision, particularly in its stunt sequences. The team hit its opening stunts with control, setting the tone with synchronized lifts and steady body positions at the top. The Saints maintained that standard through their elite stunt series, executing group stunts in unison and minimizing visible wobbles, a key factor in sectional scoring.

The pyramid section emerged as one of the standout moments of the routine. Athletes transitioned through multiple levels and formations with few breaks in motion, building to a visual climax that drew a strong response from the crowd. The transitions between elements — from stunts into the pyramid and then into the dismounts — appeared seamless, reinforcing the team’s timing and choreography.

On the ground, the Saints’ tumbling and dance elements helped separate them from much of the field. A combination of standing tumbling passes and running passes added difficulty to the score sheet, while the choreography stayed tight to the music, emphasizing sharp motions and clean formations. The team sustained its energy through the full routine, an area where deductions can mount late for less-conditioned squads.

The sectional performance continues a strong postseason trajectory for St. Charles East, which also finished second at the DuKane Conference Cheer Championship earlier in January. Saturday’s third-place finish at Dundee-Crown now sends the Saints to Bloomington, where they will look to replicate — and potentially improve on — their sectional score against the state’s top programs.

With one of their best routines of the year already in hand, the Saints enter state with a clear blueprint: maintain consistency in stunts, build on the visual impact of their pyramid and refine timing in motions and tumbling to squeeze out additional tenths. Their sectional showing indicates they will be a factor in the final rounds next weekend.