Moraine Valley Cheer Team Wins Patriotic Open At NIU

PALOS HILLS, IL -- Moraine Valley Community College’s Cheer Team took first place at the Patriotic Open Championship sponsored by American Cheer Power. More than 100 teams competed in the competition that took place on Nov. 12 at Northern Illinois University. The Moraine Valley team won in the Level 6 International Open Division.

Under the direction of Dr. Alison Lacny, sociology professor and head coach, the team, which is the first from Moraine Valley to compete, won first place in the Level 6, International Open Division. The cheer team’s winning routine was a cheer and dance routine that included coordinated jumps, stunts and tumbling.

In addition, Jaret Ahern, team captain, was selected as the recipient of the Coaches’ Choice Award, which is presented to one athlete selected from a pool of athletes nominated by coaches. During the competition, the team collected donations to contribute to the troops overseas through an organization of military moms and wives in Texas.

The team was amazing at the competition, but we didn’t get there alone,” Lacny said. “We had a lot of support from our families as well as the college. Student Life and Athletics have been two our greatest supporters from the very beginning.”

Cheer Team members include Ahern and Olivia Burbatt, of Midlothian; Cassandra Larsen, of Oak Forest; Marissa James, of Oak Lawn; co-captain Missy Carroll, of Chicago Ridge; Jasmine Wooten and Aracely Madrigal, both of Evergreen Park. As the winner in its division, the Cheer Team received a bid to the 2018 U.S. finals, which are held in eight cities throughout the country in the spring. The Moraine Valley team is looking to attend the finals competition in Chicago.