Seniors reflect as Conant Cheer heads to State

Music will echo, crowds will roar, coaches will shout, and competitors will perform at the IHSA Competitive Cheer State Competition beginning Friday, February 7.

Their 20th time qualifying for State, the Conant Coed Cheer Team is one of the 100 teams competing this year at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington, IL. They will first perform at 4 p.m. on Friday, and if they qualify for the final round, they will then perform on Saturday as well. Conant spectators are invited to wear red in support of the Cougars.

The Crier talked with some of the senior leaders of the Conant Coed Cheer Team to get a glimpse into their hopes and plans for the state competition, as well as a final reflection on their time as a Conant Cheerleader.

Kacper Paraniuk, ‘25 – “I am most excited to bond with my team, as that is the most important part of cheerleading!”

Molly Wheatley, ‘25 – “I’m excited to bond with my team. We are normally very close, but there is something special about State, being with a team that is like family for three days. I’m also excited to finish out my cheer career here with this very special team. We all have the same goal in mind, and I’m truly just excited to perform one last time with my best friends.”

Melvin Williams, ‘25 – “I’m most excited to spend more time with my team. I know it might sound cliche, but my team is my second family, and any chance I get to have another practice or competition I’d take without thinking.”

Mark Medyk, ‘25 – “I am most excited about the extra bonds we get to make as a team. I am also excited but sad about performing for the last time with my team in the big arena.”

Medyk shows off the 2025 IHSA State Qualifier sign shortly after the team qualified

Paraniuk – We do so many! We decorate our doors with pictures from the years, we make state posters for the week of state, and recently I’ve brung the tradition to decorate the whole inside of our rooms! I’ve done a Hawaiian theme and a love theme! This year’s theme is gonna be a surprise! Us captains also share songs with the team before the first day of the state series that represents our year as a whole into one song! All of these traditions are so unique and important; they let our team make so many heart to heart connections!

Wheatley – “We have something called ‘The Circle,’ where we all have assigned spots in a circle and we do a little pep talk before and do a chant before each time we perform. We also visualize and give mini pep talks to our specific groups in the routine.”

Williams – “I have ALWAYS done two things before a comp, one: drink an original Rockstar Energy drink an hour before we perform and two: skin care the night before.”

Medyk – “What we do on the day before Day 1 of state, [is] we make a wish into balloons before we leave and we let them fly through the air, hopefully making the wishes we made come true. On the day of our performances, we like to visualize us performing our routine by laying down in a circle shoulder to shoulder saying our cheer and listening to our music.”

Wheatley holds up the 2024 IHSA State Runner-Up trophy and medal

Paraniuk – “A big lesson I’ve learned while being a captain is when leading a team, there is a part of the process where you have to trust your teammates and reveal the abilities they have on a daily basis that they never realized they had. A big part of cheer is our brains constantly bringing us down, but by encouraging, supporting, and talking through various situations (flipping your mindset from negativity to positivity), you can be truly surprised by what you can accomplish.”

Wheatley – “I’ve learned a lot [about] how to put my team before my own needs. This sport is so unique in the team aspect, and I’ve really grown to understand selflessness. I’ve always had a natural born leadership role, and becoming captain enhanced it a ton!”

Medyk – “The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that leadership is more about listening than directing. At the start, I thought being a captain as making huge decisions, but I realized that understanding teammates’ perspectives and letting them have a voice made us stronger. This experience has taught me responsibility, patience and being open minded, which will help me in future leadership roles.”

Paraniuk holds up the 2024 IHSA State Runner-Up trophy shortly after placing at state

Paraniuk – “Yes! I remember the best moment was hitting a really good routine on junior year day two at state and becoming state runner ups that year. It was an amazing feeling finishing the routine and being super happy with the team for our hard work over the season.”

Medyk – “A specific moment that sticks out to me as a cheerleader is making podium last year at state and making history this year by qualifying for state for the 20th time in IHSA history.”

Williams – “The dance circles we have after a competition. No matter what team you’re from, or if you’re on mat or a reserve, all the teams go on the mat and dance to music. Genuinely, it just feels so good and welcoming being able to have fun with my team and other teams.”

Wheatley – “Walking off the floor last season on day 2 knowing I did everything I could to secure a podium placement in 2024. Then, being announced as the state runner up was a dream come true and a moment I will never forget. My team and coaches put in so much work, and for that to be recognized was amazing.

Williams poses for the camera in team photos.

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