WHS cheer team qualifies for final round

The Wilmington competitive cheer team is the only one of three teams that will advance to the state finals on Saturday, finishing eighth in the preliminary round of the IHSA Class 1A State Cheerleading Competition at Grossinger Auto Arena in Bloomington.

Wilmington posted a score of 88.10, good enough to land inside the top 10 and earn one of the coveted advancing spots to Saturday's final round, where teams will compete for a possible state trophy. Only the top 10 teams from Friday's preliminaries advance.

Breese (Central) led the Class 1A field with a score of 94.02, followed by Columbia (91.90) and Taylor Ridge (Rockridge) (90.69). Wilmington's score placed them just ahead of Pinckneyville (88.08) and Richmond (R.-Burton) (88.00), underscoring how slim the margins were in a highly competitive field.

The Wildcats' routine, which include just six members, was marked by strong execution and composure on the mat, allowing them to navigate the tight scoring and advance among some of the state's best small-school programs. Wilmington will return to the arena Saturday with a chance to improve its standing and contend for a state finish.

Area teams Coal City and Reed-Custer also competed Friday but fell short of the cut line. Reed-Custer placed 15th with a score of 86.25, while Coal City finished 22nd at 83.90, ending their state runs.