Find out who earned MVP, and who made this year's Competitive Cheerleading All Area Team

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.

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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.

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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 J-Hawks' success this year, and he turned into a leader throughout the season. His versatility showed through a lot this year.

Zaraya Davis, Jefferson

Davis has strong leadership skills and impressive Level 4 stunting and tumbling skills, including her participation in Level 4 co-ed stunts. Her dedication to perfecting her skills and supporting her teammates exemplifies her commitment to excellence in cheerleading.

Maddie Fisher, Harlem

Maddie, a freshman at Harlem who moved to the area from Arizona this year, has been cheering competitively for four years and she already shows a ton of pride for Harlem cheer.

Katy Fridly, Belvidere North

Fridly completed her first season on the Belvidere North varsity squad this year, working extremely hard to gain a plethora of new stunting skills in just one year. She is an electric performer and entertains the crowd extremely well.

Kiera Hawkins, North Boone

This junior was an outstanding leader on the North Boone Varsity Team. She grew more confident in her skills and is constantly determined to correct and perfect the skills she already has and improve the skills she is working to add for next year.

Erin Johnston, Hononegah

Johnston is athletic and is a very talented cheerleader. She has exceptional technique in all Level 4 categories, including being a powerhouse base, running full and jumps to tuck.

Hadilee Jones, North Boone

Over the past year, North Boone saw an incredible difference within Hadilee’s growth mindset. She worked extremely hard this season to better her all around skill set in and out of practice, showing passion and love for the sport.

Brayden Luellen, Jefferson

Luellen's dedication and leadership over the past two years have been invaluable in shaping this co-ed team, and he showcases exceptional Level 4 stunting skills as a back-spot and co-ed stunter. His willingness to support his teammates in perfecting their basing and tumbling skills is just one of the ways he shows his commitment to the squad's success.

Samantha Nevara, Belvidere North

As a sophomore, this was Nevara's first year on the varsity squad, and she proved to be a well-rounded cheerleader serving as both a flyer and base. She worked very hard to compete Level 4 skills in all areas of the IHSA Cheer Rubric. Her teammates love her.

Margaret Taskey, Belvidere North

Taskey is a three-year varsity cheerleader who has stepped up her game every year. She suffered an injury at the start of this past football season but worked extremely hard to compete Level 4 skills in every category of the IHSA Cheer Rubric all season long. She is a wonderful leader to her teammates and continues to push herself extremely hard.

London Webster, Guilford

This is another freshman who came into the season with excellent skills. She has a great work ethic, is a team player and is a powerhouse back-spot and tumbler.

Kalen Yang, Belvidere North

This was Yang's first year on the varsity squad, and he worked extremely hard to perform Level 4 skills in each area of the IHSA Cheer Rubric. He was a back-spot in all stunts, and he is extremely dedicated to perfecting his skills moving into his senior year.

Jay Taft is a Rockford Register Star sports reporter. Email him at jtaft@rrstar.com and follow him on Twitter at @JayTaft. Sign up for the Rockford High School newsletter at rrstar.com. Jay has covered a wide variety of sports, from the Chicago Bears to youth sports, since the turn of the century at the Register Star, and for over 30 years altogether.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Find out who made this year's Competitive Cheerleading All Area Team