Shepard High School hosted its customary send-off this morning for head coach Nicole Staehlin and the varsity cheerleaders. The Astros took second place at the Niles West sectional in the Co-Ed Division to qualify for the IHSA state finals for the 23rd time in the past 25 years.
They will compete at 4:55 p.m. this afternoon at Grossinger Motors Arena on the campus of Illinois State University.
If they place in the Top 10 of the preliminary round today they advance to the final round tomorrow.
