Lady Cougars claim fifth State Cheer Championship

    It was another brilliant and inspired cheer season for the Central Lady Cougars that ended with their fifth IHSA State Championship on the floor of Grossinger Motors Arena on Saturday, Feb. 7 in Bloomington.
    The fifth title for the Cougars is tied for the third-most in IHSA history with Class 2A Lemont High School having eight State titles and an IHSA record of 21-straight finals appearances.
    Their nine State final trophies are fifth all-time with Lemont having 16 total trophies. Central has qualified for the State Tournament 17 times, with six-straight trips that have piled up two State titles and two third-place efforts following the COVID season.
    Head coach Julianne Jacob has led them to their final 16 state trips and all nine trophies. Under Jacob, the Lady Cougars have qualified for State all 16 seasons of her career.
    The Lady Cougars embarked on their state run by winning the Class 1A Edwardsville Sectional title with a score of 91.53. Columbia was second with a 91.10.
    They dominated Friday’s preliminary round on Friday in Bloomington with a routine that registered a 94.02. Columbia was again second with 91.90 points.
    The finals saw one tumble for the Cougars, but their degree of difficulty prevailed as they scored 91.92 points with Pinckneyville in second place with a score of 90.68.