Valley View Board Honors Romeoville Cheer Team

ROMEOVILLE, IL — At its Monday meeting, the Valley View School District Board of Education honored Romeoville High School's IHSA co-ed competitive cheer team state finalists.

Head competitive cheer coach Tia Martin said the team was a qualifier for state this year, meaning that they are among the 25 programs in the state.

"This team is very special," Martin, who is a RHS cheer program alumna, said. "We have a lot of amazing athletes."

Martin said the team has 16 athletes, and 15 performed at state, with only four having ever performed at state before.

"There's a lot of pressure; there's a lot of excitement about it to be on that mat," Martin said.

The team roster includes: Justin Berrios, Bridget Berson, Ana Esquivel, Tristan Gonzalez, Jiliyah Harkins, Ariyah Lee, Vanessa Madison, Lilly Meza, Bella Nardi, Mia Ortiz, Abigail Roppolo, Deivina Samalionyte, Joanna Stasi, Jayla Summit, Ava Thornton and Taria Ward.

The cheer program has qualified for state in 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026.