The varsity cheerleaders from Shepard High School placed third out of 13 teams in the Co-Ed Division of their IHSA Sectional on Saturday to qualify for the state finals next weekend.
Champions earlier this season at the Andrew Invitational, the Astros will compete among the 25 best Co-Ed teams in the state on Friday at Illinois State University. The Shepard cheerleaders now have qualified for the IHSA state finals for five straight years and 19 out of the last 22 years.
Shepard graduate Nicole Staehlin serves as head coach of the cheerleading program.
