Junior Anna Bigenwald has just become a three-sport athlete at Lyons Township High School.
“I remember my freshman year, my friends and I were talking about starting a flag football club,” Bigenwald said. “Last year we were going to try and get it in. And then we found out they made a team and we were excited to join.”
The wait is over.
LTHS has added girls flag football this fall in its first season sanctioned by the Illinois High School Association. The IHSA Board of Directors approved a state series on Feb. 5.
Roughly 70 athletes will play on three levels — 22 on varsity under head coach Meghan Hutchens with two junior varsity teams — after about 125 attended the opening days of official tryouts last week.
The varsity opener is Tuesday, Aug. 26 against Fenwick on the south campus Bennett Field. JV home games will be at nearby Burson Field on south campus.
“I’m just excited for it to start up and happy that LT has a team,” said Bigenwald, who last season was a varsity soccer goalie and JV/sophomore girls basketball player. “I feel like it’s long overdue. I’m so excited for it. I’m looking forward to meeting new people and new friends and building camaraderie.”
Lyons Township Junior Anna Bigenwald pulls in a catch during drills at the Lions’ Girls Flag Football practice Wednesday, August 14, 2024 in Western Springs. | Steve Johnston 
Junior Char Ebeid throws passes to her teammates during Lyons Township’s Girls Flag Football practice Wednesday, August 14, 2024 in Western Springs. | Steve Johnston 
Coach Brian Wolf plays the roll of a defender during Lyons Township’s Girls Flag Football practice Wednesday, August 14, 2024 in Western Springs. | Steve Johnston 
Coach Megan Hutchens works alongside Freshman Zara Ibrahim as she sets up a drill during Lyons Township’s Girls Flag Football practice Wednesday, August 14, 2024 in Western Springs. | Steve Johnston 
Coach Megan Hutchens explains the next drill for her players during Lyons Township’s Girls Flag Football practice Wednesday, August 14, 2024 in Western Springs. | Steve Johnston
Varsity players are seniors Brooke Bonniwell, Abby Fischer, Eleanor Hare, Jordyn Hoffenberg and Alexandra Kruger; juniors Bigenwald, Lisa Baron, Kennedy Campbell, Maren Cavanaugh, Char Ebeid, Carly Granger, Karenna Knop, Taya Magajne, Lila Porter, Fiona Sullivan, Ella Tamburello and Anya Torres; sophomores Grace Downey, Helena Enriquez, Christina Lid and Leah Monahan; and freshman Taylor Hoffenberg.
Hutchens is also varsity head coach for girls basketball. Assistants are varsity girls basketball assistant Missy Mitidero, varsity girls lacrosse head coach Morgan Gallagher, and Brian Wolf.
“I love football and I love to be a part of history,” Hutchens said.
“At points of our life, [Missy and I have] played flag football as adults. It’s a really fun sport. We’re two athletic, competitive people, so it falls right in line with that. It embodies being physically active, teamwork and sportsmanship and that’s what it’s all about.”
The sport has grown exponentially since more than 20 Chicago Public League teams began in 2021 with a postseason tournament.
According to IHSA.org, 160 schools have officially entered this year’s tournament with others coming in 2025. The state finals are Oct. 18-19 at Willowbrook, 2022 champions of the first Chicago Bears Girls Flag State Championship.
More than 60 athletes attended LTHS summer camp, Aug. 5-8. At official tryouts, Hutchens said some athletes came out of curiosity or as a backup if cut from another fall sport. While some returned to their original sport, others remained.
“I think we’re going to be competitive. We have speed, athleticism and some prior knowledge of the game,” Hutchens said.
“They’ve done a very nice job over the course of a week, how to run a route, the importance of spacing, timing. We know there’s going to be a growing period and we’re excited to work and improve and figure out each other.”
So far, the 5-foot-8 Bigenwald has enjoyed some success at wide receiver. Other early standouts include Ebeid and Campbell.
Bigenwald’s only previous experience was throwing footballs around with her father and brother RJ, an eighth-grader at Highlands Middle School.
“Growing up playing against my brother was fun, but playing on a team against another team is going to be a new and fun experience,” Bigenwald said.
“I feel like every girl who is trying to make the team, starting a new sport. I feel like I’m at everyone’s same level. I am nervous for teams that have had a team for a while because obviously they have had more experience playing.”