Bednarcik Rookie Cheer Team Snags Third At State

OSWEGO, IL — The girls of the Bednarcik Jr. High cheer team knew they had to work harder than the competition to make it to state. At the height of cheer season, they ramped up their practices to five days a week, three hours a day, and even some weekends. As a result, they swooped into third place at the Illinois Cheerleading Coaches Association championships in Springfield over the weekend. They earned their trophy Sunday night against 16 teams, and even beat the reigning state champions.

Their coach, Julie Velasco, couldn't be prouder. She said the team created some buzz at the competition, mostly because they hadn't competed in three years.

"People were thinking, 'where did this team come from?' "

All but three of the girls are new to the world of cheer teams and competition, so to make it this far in one season, she said, "isn't exactly unheard of, but-," it is a rare occurrence. "They poured their hearts into this competition routine since October."

Velasco is a special education teacher at Bednarcik. She taught her daughter's cheerleading team of first and second graders, but nothing like this. Team tryouts were in late April, and together, they decided they wanted to become competitive.

Madison Egan, an 8th grader, was one of the repeat students.

"Last year, we didn’t compete and it felt like a very short season. I feel like over the past two years, I have improved greatly in my tumbling and stunting." Egan said she looked forward to practice every day.

The 7th and 8th grade girls placed first at a Wilmington High invitational and 4th at Oswego East. Beginning in October, they cheered for boys basketball home games.

"They are the most dedicated, hard-working and talented team that I have ever worked with," said Velasco, who estimates the girls have spent about 1,000 hours practicing this season.

"A lot of them came in with the idea that it's going to be fun and hanging out, and that's definitely a little part of what it is," the coach said, "but as far as tumbling, which is a big piece of it, they came in with some average skills, and they've grown into way more complex moves, like full extensions."

All those hours were worth it for 8th grader Abbey Kinnavy, who said, "When I want to learn a new tumbling skill, I just try it at open gym or on a trampoline." Velasco applauded each of the girls for their willingness to leave their comfort zones when trying new stunts.

Madeline Greenfield, in 8th grade, said, "We would never have gotten 3rd at state if we didn’t practice like we did. This team is the best team I have ever been a part of."

They had one more challenge, though: the team's uniforms were in need of a serious upgrade, which would cost at least $300 each. Oswego School District 308 is facing major budget constraints, so it was up to the team to raise funds. The girls asked for money outside of a grocery store and hosted a fundraising night at a local restaurant. None of it, however, would have been possible without the parents, Velasco added.

"The fundraising made us only work harder as a team knowing that we would compete if we successfully completed our goal," said 7th grader Trish Lemezis.

Velasco is already fired up for next year, and hopes the team and parents will want to enter in the competition circuit again.

"This team has laid a great foundation for us to build a successful program, not just for this season, but for future students."

Image courtesy of Coach Julie Velasco. The competition members are: Trish Lemezis, Taylor Scott, Jessica Estes, Maddie Greenfield, Kayla Rathbun, Ava Fill, Abbey Kinnavy, Ava Hubble, Madison Egan, Kate Impola, Miranda Kinnavey, Megan Charapata, Hannah Grenke and Grace Rommen.