In-State Clash Wasn't the Only Main Event for Illinois Rankings (2/19/26)

Dylan Moss - Illinois Contributor

This is the second edition of Homeroom’s poll rankings of Illinois for the 2026 season, covering and considering results from the week of 2/14 and earlier. Three regional experts considered 39 groups and ranked 20 across 3 divisions.

Championship Mixed

1. Wheaton North “Flight” (NC)

2. Mt. Zion “Swingsations” (NC)

3. El Paso-Gridley “Modulations” (NC)

4. Mundelein “Sound” (NC)

5. Dwight D. Eisenhower “Express” (+2)

6. Glenwood “Titan Fever” (-1)

7. Wheaton Warrenville South “The Classics” (-1)

8. Waubonsie Valley “Sound Check” (NC)

9. Oswego “Commotion” (NC)

10. Naperville North “Entourage” (NC)

Receiving Votes: John Hersey “OnStage”

News and Notes

More Chaos at The Clash

It appears that Illinois chaos was not just a one week thing, as the Clash of The Sequins delivered yet another unpredictable result. Mt. Zion took a commanding sweep over the small but mighty field, cementing themselves as one of the most red hot choirs in the state, and continuing their comeback season under Christina Cawthon in striking fashion. Eisenhower placed a solid second, proving their high placement at Crete wasn't a fluke, and that they are here to compete. On the other end of the spectrum, WWS found themselves in another unusual fourth place, while the third and fifth place spots were taken by single gender groups from Mt. Zion and WWS respectively. More on them later.

Wheaton North’s National Statement

Number one ranked group Wheaton North Flight found themselves at one of, if not the most competitive events in the country last weekend, the Chesterton Trojan Classic. There, Flight was tasked with defending their longstanding finals streak which they’ve kept since 2014 against some of the best groups from all around the nation. They certainly took the task well, as they made finals and placed fourth overall, beating powerhouse groups such as Brandon, Carroll, and Cosby, proving that no matter what field you place them in, Flight is going to be up for the challenge. Flight will take a well earned break from competing this weekend before their next event, another stacked showdown at Mt. Zion.

Who Survives Showdown?

This weekend marks the El Paso-Gridley Show Choir Showdown, featuring top groups from Illinois and a few out of state powers such as Troy Buchanan and Sparta. Mt. Zion will look to keep their streak alive, but will face their most stacked field thus far. Nonetheless, Swings have shown great resilience this season and will be right there in win contention. Eisenhower also is looking to keep up the heat, and making a podium finish here would cement them as a competitor potentially for years to come. Oswego will look to make their second finals berth of the season, and they’ve proven they have the juice to do so, but they will face challenges from all around, including from unranked Manteno, who is hoping to bounce back by making finals here and get back at Oswego.

Single Gender

1. El Paso-Gridley “Hi-Fidelity” (NC)

2. Mt. Zion “You’ve Got Male” (+2)

3. Wheaton Warrenville South “Esprit” (NC)

4. Mother MacAuley “Mac Melody” (-2)

5. Mt. Zion “Les Femmes” (NC)

News and Notes

The CHUH!!! Heard Round The World

Mt. Zion “You’ve Got Male” made an absolute statement last weekend at Naperville, where they beat both Wheaton Warrenville South The Classics and Esprit, placing third overall.This is an almost unprecedented result for not just YGM, but bass groups overall, and shows that these guys are a real force to be reckoned with. YGM was second in the division heading into finals behind Esprit, showing that they have that lock in factor they need to be competitive. Going down the division at Naperville, Esprit made their first finals round of the season, defending their third place spot in the rankings, while Mt. Zion Les Femmes rounded out the division in third.

HiFi Gets The Job Done

Number one ranked EPG Hi Fidelity entered a smaller division last weekend, where they came out on top against Danville’s two single gender choirs. While this matchup may have looked like an easy win for HiFi on paper, HiFi has notably seen some struggle against Danville Contemporaires in the past, dropping Best Choreo to them in 2024, and outright losing to them in 2025 at Crete. This time around, HiFi won in a convincing sweep, showing improvement from last season, defending their number one spot in the rankings, and keeping up their red hot momentum, which they will need heading into their very stacked last two comps.

Festival Mixed

1. Crete-Monee “Cavaliers” (+4)

2. Danville “Delegation” (NC)

3. Herscher “Class Act” (-2)

4. Sullivan “Singers” (-1)

5. Mundelein “Reverb” (-1)

Crete-Monee Comes Out On Top

Crete-Monee “Cavaliers” took a statement division win at a stacked Manteno competition last weekend, sweeping both captions from defending number one Herscher, and vaulting a whopping four spots in the rankings to the number one spot. Crete-Monee has quickly become one of the state’s top festival groups under director Ben Alifantis, and even with a choreographer change this season, it doesn’t look like the train is gonna stop anytime soon as they defend their title next weekend in a loaded division at El Paso.

A Bloodbath Looms at El Paso

El Paso-Gridley will play host next weekend to what may be the largest festival mixed brawl of the season, featuring a smorgasbord of some of the state’s best, as well as a couple foreigners. Three of the top five choirs, Crete, Sullivan, and Herscher, will enter the fray, as well as some wildcard groups like Carmel Catholic and Springfield, and an out of state festival powerhouse in Troy Buchanan Soundwave. It is truly anyone’s guess as to what happens in this field, as the top groups will likely be incredibly close, and whoever wins this may hold on to the number one spot for quite a while.