While neither squad hoisted the top trophy at this year’s Illinois High School Association state cheerleading competition in Bloomington, both Columbia and Waterloo made Monroe County proud once again by raising the bar of success and putting this area on the map in the sport.

The competitive fire exhibited by both squads year after year only seems to make both programs stronger.

The Columbia and Waterloo high school varsity cheerleading squads both advanced to the IHSA state meet by virtue of impressive performances in the sectional at Triad High School.

Columbia placed second in the medium division last year at the IHSA state meet by .07 of a point to first place Hampshire. Waterloo, competing in the co-ed division, also advanced to state last year but did not make it out of the preliminary round.

Columbia won IHSA state titles in 2010, 2011 and 2012 in the small division and another title in 2013 in the medium division. Waterloo also advanced to state in the medium division in 2013 and 2014.

This year’s state competition took place Friday and Saturday at U.S. Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington.

Waterloo just missed advancing to Saturday’s final this year, placing 11th in Friday’s preliminary round by less than one point to 10th-place Wauconda.

Only the top 10 teams advance to the final.

Columbia placed sixth in the preliminary round to advance to Saturday’s final. In the final, Columbia placed fifth overall.

“This season was an interesting one!” Columbia head coach Robbie Walters said. “We had a talented group of committed, hard-working girls who would do so well at practice, but struggled to connect the dots in front of judges. Every competition we missed a stunt, including our sectional, but with every falter came more motivation to perform better the next time out. Sure, we have had our share of injury and illness, but nothing was more of an obstacle than not hitting the routine in competition.”

Walters said his squad had an early draw in the state prelims, and with a few adjustments to its routine were confident in putting on a good show.

“Unfortunately, at the end of our performance a basket toss went awry and our pyramid almost didn’t happen,” Walters said. “Reacting quickly, the girls saved the ending and we finished in the top 10, well enough to move onto the finals.”

On Saturday, Walters said his team came out sharp and nailed its best routine of the season.

“We were so fortunate to compete among the best in Illinois,” Walters said. “Taking home the fifth spot was the icing!”

Walters credited assistant coach Marla Rose for helping to guide the team with a positive spirit.

“We have all grown from the experience of this season, and the girls learned so much about themselves.

That, in itself, made all the ups and downs worth it,” Walters said.

The Columbia cheerleaders are Maddie DeGroot, Wyndi Frisch, Alyssa Hunsaker, Daisia Hunter, Jess Raney, Jae Schaffer, Morgan Goforth, Abbey Levin, Michaela Patterson, Kennedy Wuertz, Emily Bauer, Katie Brockland, Jessica Hall, Kaela Renaud, Lindsay Starr, Morgan Jacob, Delaney Eastep, Elaina Vitale, Jade Bivins, Emma Lowe, Kenzie Yochum and Mikayla Jacob.

For Waterloo and its head coach, Amber Hensiek, a fourth straight state appearance is certainly impressive. The team had high hopes of advancing out of the prelims this year, just missing that goal by less than one point.

But with the passion for success that is shown by the Waterloo cheerleaders and their coach, they’ll be back stronger than ever next year.

The Waterloo squad performed its state routine in front of the entire student body on Thursday before departing north to Bloomington in what was an enthusiastic display of Bulldog pride.

“Thanks to WHS administration, staff and students for the great send-off!” Hensiek said.

The Waterloo cheerleaders are Lizzy Coplin, Brittany Morris, Kyleen May, Mallory Buss, Erin Johnson, Mariah LaFore, Hanna Meadors, Kaela Osterhage, Kailee Ronat, Emma Geringer, Emma Snodgrass, Cybil Kernan, Brandon Schad, Olivia Thaggard and Sydney Faris.