Competitive cheerleading teams from Marist and Lemont high schools headed to Bloomington hungry earlier this month after both squads were disappointed with their 2023 results and ready for a do-over.
This year, both teams feasted, winning Illinois High School Association state championships in their divisions. And that helped feed into the overall statewide success of the south suburbs in cheerleading.
The IHSA has hosted 19 state tournaments over the years, and all 19 have featured at least one state champion team from the Southland.
That streak stayed alive this year when Marist won its first state title, posting a 96.32 in the large-team division while Lemont won its seventh state championship with a 97.94 in the medium-team division on Feb. 3 at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington.
For Marist, the trophy was a long time coming after the Redhawks finished second in 2013, 2018, 2019 and 2022 and third in 2012.
The announcement for the championships is dramatic. The 10 teams that qualify all sit on the floor in circles, and after the third- and second-place teams are announced and invited to the podium, eight tense teams remain, anxious to find out if they won.
RedHawks coach Jordan Miller was especially nervous.
“Honestly, I had a lot going on in my mind at that point,” he said. “You always hope that it’s you but in the past couple of years, we’ve been close so many times that until I hear them say it out loud…”
When they said it out loud, the athletes went crazy, jumping around and screaming.
“The kids were great kids and great athletes and I knew our routine was well executed,” Miller said. “I was hoping for the best and luckily we came up with the win.”
Members of Marist’s championship team are Emerson McGuire, Katelin Carney, Brianna Kirchner, Kaliyah House, Molly Ryan, Autumn Veal, Anna Connor, Emma Summers, Kelsey Weber, Bre Doherty, Gianna Marciano, Mya Marciano, Jaclyn Fitzmaurice, Abigail Osborne, Madelyn Gutrich, Julia Lorenz, June Giblin-Segal, Carrington Anderson, Bridget Panarese, Mia Duszynski, Jenna McAdams, Mia Vincent, Sarah Tadevich and Kaelyn Howell.
“I don’t know if it will ever quite sink in,” Miller said of the school’s first championship. “But it obviously felt great. These kids deserve the world, and they worked so hard this year. Last year, we didn’t execute, and we didn’t make the finals.
“This year showed the perseverance and the hard work of these kids. They pushed through and overcame adversity and that made it even sweeter.”
Miller said the program does not take winning previous down-podium trophies lightly. There was pride in being among the elite.
“The talent of cheerleading in Illinois is incredible,” Miller said. “We’re always grateful for any time we’re on the podium or any time we’re making Day 2. We’re grateful for any place that we get but it was sweet coming out on top.”
It wasn’t the first time at the top of the podium for Lemont’s squad, but winning state titles never gets old. This year was huge for coach Bree Grady-Simpson and the team because their 97.94 score was historic. It was the best score of the day, beating out championship scores from the large, small and coed divisions.
It is also a state record for best score for a medium division team performance at any state meet. It was also the fourth-best state score ever at a state meet in any division.
“It feels great to have the hard work of our athletes being recognized and be acknowledged,” Grady-Simpson said. “They put out a fantastic performance on both days. I was happy they were rewarded with their scores.”
Members of Lemont’s squad are Claire Auw, Hailey Borner, Jordan Cryer, Samantha DuVall, Emma Fedorovich, Mia Fedorovich, Allyson Fluder, Fawne Ford, Grace Markun, Ella Mierzwa, Natalie Oprondek, Ella Phelan, Tessa Preuss, Morgan Sadelski, Kelsey Schmidt, Tori Swanstrom, Avaree Taylor, Melanie Wallace, Molly Wallace and Ashley Wrublik.
Grady-Simpson said that last year’s second-place finish served as a motivator for this season.
“Year in and year out, our athletes are always looking to be on the top of that podium,” she said. “This year’s team came in even hungrier after getting second last year. Our returning athletes came in ready to go.
“From the day I saw them after state last year. Until Day 2 this year, they remained hungry. They put in long hours and they trusted the process.”
And they were rewarded.
“They reached their highest potential at the right time,” Grady-Simpson said.
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
