For Melissa Marquez and the other seniors for the Lyons Township High School varsity competitive cheerleading team, Saturday’s final performance couldn’t have been much more memorable.
The Lions not only were back at the IHSA state meet but competing in the 10-team Coed Division state finals for the first time in program history.
“The team and I felt more than ready to perform. I’ve been cheering since second grade and to know that would be my last performance, I truly wanted to give it all I had,” said Marquez.
“Our team was not only doing it for ourselves but for our coaches and community and family and friends.”
The Lions hoped to finish higher than 10th (88.82 points) but advancing with the fifth highest score in Friday’s preliminaries (92.86) was another significant step in the program’s progress.
Team members are seniors Maddie Brennan, Megan Gray, Grace Lannon, Devon Mackenzie, Marquez, Annie Sarno and Katie Villarreal, juniors Erin Gugliuzza, Skyla Hendrix, Sophia Horwath, Vivi Koppel (manager), Aracely McNamara, Ryan Renderman, Maggie Sammon and Bridget Waight, sophomores Averie Grigus, Hayden Livingston, Ashlynn Monckton, Gloria Podolner, Kennedi Ross, Olivia Van Wyck, Audreya Wilkins and Aleigh Zeman and freshman Aylee Holguin.
The Lions are coached by Sharon Lupo and Ana Samaniego. Marquez, Mackenzie and Gray are Brookfield residents.
“Reaching (finals) for the first time in LT history was surreal. It took a few hours for it to sink in,” Lupo responded. “The performance on Friday was amazing. It wasn’t perfect but you could feel the energy. They hit that mat wanting day two and they got there.”
Five seniors (Brennan, Lannan, Marquez, Sarno and Villarreal) have been four-year team members who have seen the program grow exponentially from its first state berth their freshman year.
Lupo and Samaniego also have coached Brennan, Marquez, Sarno and Villareal since their LFC youth football cheerleading days.
“My freshman year, realizing it was LT’s first time going to state was such a big accomplishment and then getting to end my last year, knowing we made it to day two state was the most exciting, heartwarming best day of my life,” said Marquez.
“I am so proud the team made it to day two,” said Gray. “We worked hard and it showed. Every competition was better than the one before. It has been an honor being part of the LT competitive cheer team.”
The Lions scored a season-high 93.07 Saturday for third at the Buffalo Grove Sectional to qualify for state and captured their second straight West Suburban Conference Meet with a then season-best 92.08, the only two conference titles for the program. A 93.07 would have placed fourth Saturday, 1.03 from a top three trophy.
“A huge lesson to understand is you always can accomplish your goal if you work for it and stay humble,” said Marquez.
The Lions started the season adjusting to a faster-paced routine but also with more tumbling.
As they gained conditioning and confidence, the Lions peaked at the end of the season as hoped.
“Ana and I couldn’t be more proud. They had a hard routine,’ said Lupo. “We had some performance hiccups at the start of the season. As a team they pulled it together and achieved all the goals they set for themselves.”
RBHS bowling
The first-year Riverside Brookfield girls bowling team finished ninth at the 12–team Glenbard East Regional Saturday with 3,658 pins for six games.
Freshman Mia Torres (30th, 815, 178 high game), was 51 pins from the last individual sectional qualifier. Junior Ava Haralamos (39th, 739), senior Katie Doyle (44th, 700) and junior Audrey Raymond (45th, 699) also bowled six games and juniors Sofia Sanchez (365) and Lucia Vazzana (340) three each.
Nazareth senior Sophie Nevers (28th, 830) and Grace Gray (32nd, 804) and sophomore Lorelai Bowen (40th, 731) competed as individuals.
The Bulldogs finished 7-12 and seventh in the Upstate Eight Conference with a 7-11 dual record and 35 points. Torres (130) and Haralamos (118) had the team’s top averages in UEC play with Torres just missing individual all-conference honors.
The RBHS boys, whose season ended at regionals Jan. 18, were eighth in the UEC with nine points. Teddy Kowalski (133), Ben O’Brien (125), Ronnie Murray (124) and Jacob Jones (124) had the team’s top averages.