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Spencer Homes Female Athletes Of The Month: Edwardsville Cheer Teams Shine at State Championships

Varsity and junior varsity squads excel at ICCA 2026, securing top placements in competitive Illinois cheerleading event.

Dan Brannan, Content Director

Jan 12, 2026 2:23 PM Jan 12, 2026 2:39 PM

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EDWARDSVILLE — Edwardsville High School’s varsity and junior varsity cheer teams delivered standout performances at the Illinois Cheerleading Association Coaches Cheer Championships (ICCA) on Jan. 10-11, 2026, securing top honors and individual accolades.

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On Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, the varsity team earned second place in the large schools division, finishing behind Rockford Guilford and ahead of O'Fallon Township, Normal Community, and Hononegah. The team demonstrated strength, precision, and teamwork in one of the state’s most competitive cheerleading events.

Two seniors received special recognition for their achievements. Carly Hartman was named to the ICCA All-State Cheer Team, an elite group comprising just 18 athletes statewide, acknowledging her dedication and leadership. Maggie Bowser was awarded the 2026 ICCA Scholarship, which provides $6,000 toward her university education.

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Bowser expressed gratitude for the honor, saying, “I’m incredibly grateful and feel blessed to see my hard work and dedication pay off. Receiving this scholarship is an amazing honor. I couldn’t have achieved this without the unwavering support of my coaches, teammates, and family. Thank you for believing in me every step of the way.”

The following day, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, the junior varsity team captured first place with a flawless routine, adding a championship title to the program’s successful weekend.

The Edwardsville cheerleading girls are Spencer Homes Female Athletes of the Month for EHS.

After the state competition, the varsity team competed at the Buffalo Grove Invite, where their nearly perfect routine earned them first place among 30 highly competitive teams.

The Edwardsville High School cheer program recognized the hard work of all its athletes and congratulated Carly Hartman, Maggie Bowser, and both cheer teams for their outstanding performances during the weekend.