Gonzalez-Calderon, Held shine as MVPs
After a strong season throughout the Rockford area in the competitive cheerleading realm, it’s time to announce the new cheerleading MVPs, as well as this year’s All Area Team.
Belvidere North was the only local team to make it to the final 10 at the IHSA competitive cheerleading state tournament, and the Blue Thunder took third at state in the co-ed division. North had finished either first or second in the state in co-ed in seven straight postseasons before dropping back to 14th place two years ago. But they bounced back with a strong finish this time around.
And while they were the lone Rockford-area squad to advance to the finals, there were still plenty of strong cheerleaders scattered around.
With the help of a committee made up of current and former coaches from the NIC-10 and Big Northern Conference, as well as Jay Taft at the Rockford Register Star, the 15-member team of flyers, bases and back spots was recently selected. Criteria for this year’s team was based off Level 4 skills from the IHSA
Rubric and the skills competed in the routine all season. Like for the IHSA judges, focus was put on the difficulty and the execution of those skills.
So here is this year’s Cheerleading All Area Team, led by the female and male MVPs, and then in alphabetical order:
FEMALE MVP: Fernanda Gonzalez-Calderon, Jefferson
Gonzalez-Calderon was strong in every aspect of competitive cheerleading, and it showed during routines, at practice, before and after competitions, and even in the offseason.
MALE MVP: Connor Held, Belvidere North
Just a junior, Held is very talented and a great leader for the Blue Thunder. He performed Level 4 skills in areas of the IHSA cheer rubric this past season. He motivates his teammates to be the best they can be and is always striving to push himself to achieve new skills. He is a World Champion Cheerleader who has represented the Junior Co-ed National Team at ICU Worlds and the Pan Am games.
Frankie Baldauf, Belvidere North
This sophomore continues to get better and better with his Level 4 stunting and tumbling skills each year. He has been a member of the varsity team for two years now, and is extremely dependable. He is considered a World Champion Cheerleader who has represented the Youth and Junior Co-ed National Teams at numerous competitions, winning both ICU Worlds and the Pan Am Games.
Jordyn Ballard, Lutheran
Ballard, a sophomore, is an outstanding tumbler, and has already shown that she is a hard worker who will keep working at it, for as long as it takes.
Houston Clanton, Jefferson
Clanton was a big part of the JHawks’ success this year, and he turned into a leader throughout the season. His versatility showed through a lot this year.
The Huskies (7-6, 3-1) needed a win Monday to stay with the likes of Freeport (12-4, 3-1) and Boylan, Hononegah and Belvidere North, who are all 4-0 in the conference.
Especially after seeing their 9-8 lead Friday get wiped out by Freeport’s 14-run sixth inning that depleted Harlems pitching staff.
“We needed a starter to go long into the game,” McCloy said. “Jackson was able to hold a really potent offense down by throwing strikes and mixing it up.
“If our pitchers throw strikes and we put the ball in play and make the fundamental plays we can compete with anybody. But like I told the kids: We can compete with anybody both ways. We can play with the tough teams. We can play down a level, too. It’s how we do the small things and if our pitchers throw strikes.”
Heidemann allowed only one runner past first base. Cam Verner hit a leadoff triple in the fourth, but Heidemann struck out the next two hitters and got an infield grounder to strand Verner and keep Harlem ahead 3-0.
“His command was amazing,” said sophomore catcher Wesley Penney, who had two of Harlem’s seven hits. “He was painting the corner. Just throwing strikes. That’s all we needed.
“This was a good recovery from the game a couple of days ago.”
Harlem and Freeport are the two leading contenders in the NIC-10 to make their presence known in a league dominated by Hononegah and Boylan the last decade. Freeport has won or shared two league titles since 2017 but still has something to prove because it has not won a regional title since 2012.
“We’ve got a long season ahead of us,” Verner said. “We just have to keep our composure and stay tough.”
Zach Arnold took the loss for Freeport despite striking out eight in six innings and allowing just two earned runs.
“We feel the pressure, but we kind of live on it,” Arnold said. “Today, we definitely felt the pressure. Now we’re looking for a regional and to do good in the postseason.”
Heidemann not only pitched the way Harlem needed one game after Freeport lit up star Elijah Skidmore, he also led with his presence. When first baseman Skidmore lost a foul ball in the sun and it dropped, giving the Freeport hitter another chance, Heidemann calmly said: “That’s OK. I wanted a strikeout anyway.”
Two pitches later he had two more outs and was out of the inning on, yes, a strikeout, followed by an easy grounder to second to end the sixth inning.
“I was nervous to get our first win against a really big team,” Heidemann said. “I have to give a shout-out to my defense. They played great for me. It definitely helps me with confidence on the mound when our defense is making plays. I don’t have to worry there is going to be an error here. That makes it so much easier for me to throw strikes.
“As long as we keep putting the ball in play and the defense keeps making plays, anything can happen. Last year, we lost a few games. This year we are looking to come back and win conference.”
NIC-10 standings
School, Conf, Overall
● Hononegah, 4-0, 8-5
● Boylan, 4-0, 8-6
● Belvidere North, 4-0, 6-6
● Freeport, 3-1, 12-4
● Harlem, 3-1, 7-6
● Belvidere, 2-2, 4-8-1
● Guilford, 0-4, 2-9
● Jefferson, 0-4, 1-10
● East, 0-4, 0-4
● Auburn, 0-4, 0-7
Monday’s NIC-10 scores
● Hononegah 10, Jefferson 0
● Belvidere 19, Auburn 1
● Harlem 3, Freeport 0
● Belvidere North 21, East 0
● Boylan 11, Guilford 7