KANE — The Kane Area High School cheerleading team went to the Keystone Cheer Classic over the weekend  and came home with first place in the Small Varsity Division. The squad also captured the Sportsmanship Award at the event among all teams in attendance.

Coach Chris Niklaus said Krisalyn Rhodes also won the Varsity Jump Off for the second week in a row and Nicole Brown won the Varsity Tumble Off for the second time this season.

“I am super proud of how the team improved from last week to this week,” Niklaus said. “Due to the poor weather, several teams were not able to make the event and we were given the opportunity to put our routine on the floor two times to get our final score and placing. Our first routine was really good, but our second one was great.”

Niklaus said the district qualifier is on Jan. 7. Over the next two weeks, the team will work hard at mentally preparing to leave its best out there every time and not just the second routine of the day.  

“There is a ton of talent on the team and I think they are starting to see that in themselves,” Niklaus said. “If they work hard on their own over winter break I think they have a real shot at making States this year.”