New JCA cheerleading coaches Kristen Jaworski-Stuckwisch and Elisabeth Bornhofen-Adler look to return the Angels to prominence on the national level.

Joliet Catholic Academy Athletic Director Dan Sharp and Girls Athletic Coordinator Tina Kinsella are proud to announce the hiring of Kristen Jaworski-Stuckwisch as the new Head Varsity Cheerleading Coach effective immediately.

Jaworski-Stuckwisch is no stranger to the cheerleading program at JCA, as her mother, Mary Jaworski, led the program for 13 years from 1984-1997. Mary, now serving as president of the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry, led JCA to unprecedented heights during her stay, culminating in National Championships in 1992 and 1993.

JCA Athletic Director Dan Sharp said, “It’s fitting that in a year where we are celebrating our tradition with the opening of Heritage Quad that we have the opportunity to bring back the daughter of the greatest cheer coach we’ve ever had here in Mary Jaworski. Kristen was outstanding here as a student-athlete and in the Big Ten at Purdue. She has the experience, energy, and love for our school that will be an invaluable asset to our current student-athletes”.

Jaworski-Stuckwisch captained the squad her during her mother’s final year at JCA, earning All-American honors for the second consecutive year, and leading the Angels to a fourth place finish at the CanAm International Cheerleading competition.  As a senior, the ’97 JCA graduate, performed at half-time of the Aloha Bowl and earned the Aloha Bowl Cheerleading Individual Scholarship Award. She also finished in third place at the CanAm Individual National Competition.

After graduating from JCA, Jaworski-Stuckwisch went on to Purdue University, where she cheered four years on the Boilermakers nationally ranked co-ed squad. During her stay in West Lafayette she was named a three-time collegiate All-American and cheered in such venues as the Alamo Bowl, Outback Bowl, Rose Bowl, and the Women’s Final Four National Championship Game. During her time in college she also served as a Head Staff Member for the National Cheerleading Association.

From 2003-2005 Jaworski-Stuckwisch served as the Varsity Head Coach at Lemont High School, leading the Indians to a third place finish at the IHSA State Cheerleading competition. The junior varsity program also finished fifth in state during her tenure.

Joining Jaworski-Stuckwisch staff will be fellow JCA graduate Elisabeth Adler, née Bornhofen. Adler ’02 cheered three seasons while at Joliet Catholic Academy and was a member of the 2001 cheerleading squad that finished third at CanAm Nationals. Jaworski-Stuckwisch added, “Elisabeth and I look forward to returning  the strong tradition of JCA Cheerleading to our student-athletes. Her love for the school and cheerleading will be an invaluable asset to both myself and the girls.”

The JCA cheerleading program will host an informational meeting on Thursday, April 21^st at 5 p.m. upstairs in the JCA Student Activity Center. Topics covered will the spring tryouts for the fall season, and summer camp details. Current JCA students and area junior high students looking to tryout for the fall squad should attend. Please contact athletic secretary Debbie Dispenza at ddispenza@jca-online.org or 815.741.0500 with any questions or concerns.