Twelve area cheerleading teams will be competing in this weekend’s IHSA finals at the Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington. Joliet West, Lemont, Lockport and Reed-Custer advanced after winning sectional championships.

Coach Amy DiForti’s Joliet West team easily won the Limestone Sectional title with 93.47 points, which was the best score at any sectional in the large team division by more than two points. This is the eighth straight state trip for the Tigers, who won state in 2016 and finished second last year.

Members of the Tigers team are Alyssa Anderson, Kennedy Aubry, Hope Benavidez, Kelsey Bishop, Maddie Blenck, Leah Combs, Lea Delattre, Sara Dinardo, Cheyenne Eads, Mikayla Garcia, Katie Gibson, Makayla Hurd, Taylor Latta, Arielle Lindsey, Mario McGowan, Lindsey McCrea, Nya Mitchell, Jazmin Morales, Haley Nurczyk, Jessica Orr, Tia Roland, Lexi Stariha and Julia Todd.

“This is an extremely dedicated and passionate group of individuals,” DiForti said. “They have worked hard all season long, and I am very proud of their accomplishments. We look forward to competing in the state tournament this weekend representing Joliet West.”

Lockport qualified for the state finals for the 13th year in a row, but this is its first trip in the co-ed division. The Porters have won seven large-school trophies, including titles in 2007 and 2008. Coach Jenny Krumlinde’s team won the Andrew Sectional title with 87.96 points.

“We were very excited to win our first sectional title in the co-ed division,” Krumlinde said. “This team has been working very hard day in and day out to perfect the little things in the routine. We are looking forward to IHSA state on Friday and cannot wait to see all of the talent that our state has each year.”

Members of the Porters are Alaina Alberico, Ariana Chudzik, Grace Crosby, Mackenzie Everett, Morgan Fahey, Kenzie Fischer, Jocelyn Gaydos, Isabella Giertuga, Rachael Howard, Brooke Johnston, Jake Martinez, Grace Motisi, Hannah Park, Marissa Pasco, Aubree Peters, Nina Piazza, Cassandra Rasp, Regan Reposh, Hannah Rimkus, Sydney Scherp, Kara Skevis, Halle Sweis, Natalee Styrczula, Halle Sweis, Grady Travis and Libby Walton.

Lemont won the Andrew sectional title in the medium team division with 90.71 points for its 13th straight state trip. Coach David Erlenbaugh’s Indians are the defending medium class state champions and the program has won a trophy each year but one.

Members of the Indians are Gia Baldassano, Katie Boyle, Juliana DeSantis, Morgan Divis, Andrew Gonzalez, Ola Guzy, Julie Hughes, Natalie Kearney, Claudia Kociubinski, Marissa Loisi, Marissa May, Haley Nash, Olivia Nelson, Claire O’Malley, Stephanie Pinczes, Kate Roenitz, Abby Ryan, Allison Tasso, Alyiah Ward and Morgan Wrublik.

“Lemont cheer is at the top of the leader board when it comes to state trophies, with 12 total, including five state titles,” Erlenbaugh said. “The program is the only team in Illinois high school cheer to place in the top four at finals every year.”

Reed-Custer scored 81.37 points to win the small division title at the Andrew Sectional. Coach Nicole Faletti’s Comets took second place in that division a year ago at state and will be making their sixth straight state trip.

Members of the Comets are Skylar Allen, Madeline Bollino, Cammy Esparza, Karen Gonski, Laura Gonski, Lily Kilpatrick, Sarah Leadingham, Destanie Nacey, Darby O’Shea, Macy Pfeifer, Lainie Shepherd and Kiley Terry.

“These girls have battled more ups and downs this season than any team I’ve coached thus far,” Faletti said. “They always manage to push through, and I’m so incredibly proud of them for overcoming obstacles instead of giving up because of them. The bond that these girls have is like no other, and their performance always shows that.”

Lincoln-Way Central is headed to state for just the second time, with the other coming in 2008, after it advanced in the large team division. Coach Danielle Emmart came over from Lincoln-Way North and has helped to revitalize the Knights’ program.

Members of the Knights are Brooke Aker, Brianna Bowers, Allison Ceh, Taylor Cortese, Katie Engerman, Madison Fields, Sophia Gambino, Kelly Gromnicki, Ryann Hosman, Mickayala Kukowski, Maria Kulchytsky, Aubrey Lake, Elizabeth Miller, Jamie Nightingale, Maddie Powers, Gianna Ruiz, Abbey Schissler, Emily Sciaccotta, Sydney Steffens, Lexi Troy, Emily Vargas, Megan Wallace, Samantha Youngren and Sydney Zakowski.

“I am beyond lucky and honored to be a part of this journey with this special group of athletes, not only are they talented, but they are incredibly humble,” Emmart said. “They feel so honored to be a part of this and to be recognized as a top team. This has been a long time coming, and we are certainly not done yet.”

Minooka, under coach Leigh Cosgrove, will be making its fifth straight state appearance, but its first visit in the co-ed division.

Members of the Indians team are Samantha Alessio, Sadie Bacza, Nikkola Bales, Lauren Boban, Morgen Brenn, Delaney Cerevic, Sophia Cosgrove, Austin Dziamara, Stephanie Fenili, Kimberly Gebhardt, Angelina Grassano, Abigail Kokalj, Ella Leitherer, Chloe Moreno, Morgan Moreno, Easton Otto, Keaghan Otto, Paige Ogarek, Emily Rogina, Haylee Schultz, Taya Talbot, Kyle Tucker, Courtney Ubert and Sydney Walter.

“This team has spent many hours working to get to this point,” Cosgrove said. “They have grown so much as athletes, but more importantly as a team family. Our goal from day one of this season was to make it to Day 2 of state. As their coach, I have complete confidence that this team can make that happen.”

Also competing at state in the large team division are Lincoln-Way East and Plainfield North, while Morris is in the medium team division. Two other schools who advanced in the co-ed division are Bolingbrook and Plainfield South, while Wilmington also will be in the small team division.

Lincoln-Way East is the defending large team champion and Bolingbrook, Morris and Wilmington have also been frequent visitors to the state finals.