IHSA’s cheerleading finals coming to Bloomington this weekend

Posted on January 31, 2024
The state’s top 100 teams will journey to the Twin Cities to participate in four separate classes. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Jake Fogal

BLOOMINGTON – The annual Illinois High School Association Competitive Cheerleading State Finals will be hosted in Bloomington this weekend at Grossinger Motors Arena.

The state’s top 100 teams will journey to the Twin Cities to participate in four separate classes.

Over 13,000 spectators are expected to attend the two-day event, according to the tournament coordinators.

Susie Knoblauch is the IHSA administrator for cheerleading, and she spoke on the Neil Doyle Show on WJBC.

“It’s been a fun long journey for the schools to get here but I think that’s when it makes it really special that they’ve had a season to work on their routine and showcase their talent, and now they get to do it this weekend under the spotlight of a state final,” Knoblauch said.

“If you have never been to this event, it is custom entertainment. Every 5 minutes, you are seeing a different school from all over our state competing.”

According to a release from the Bloomington-Normal Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, the estimated direct economic impact of hosting State Finals in Bloomington-Normal is upwards of $1 million.

This will be Bloomington-Normal’s 19th year hosting the IHSA Competitive Cheerleading State Finals.

The competition will begin at 9 am on Friday inside Grossinger Motors Arena.

Jake Fogal can be reached at [email protected].

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