The Riverside Brookfield High School varsity poms team secured its first bid to the Universal Dance Association nationals by placing third at UDA camp, July 22-25, at Northern Illinois University. Led by second-year coach Tia Sherman, the varsity was joined by the junior varsity for the first time at the four-day camp, which has been a cornerstone in building the program’s unity and competitive edge.
Division I nationals are next Feb. 6-8 in Orlando. Fla.
“We’ve never gone before, so earning this bid is incredibly exciting for our program,” Sherman said. “Our goal is to compete and build on our success from training, competitions, and the strong team culture we’ve developed.”
The Bulldogs’ hard work throughout the week paid off in a big way. The varsity earned third in the home routine in the Division I large varsity category.
Nine RBHS varsity seniors were named UDA All-America athletes: co-captains Aubrey Agne and Isabella Kirsch, Liv Creedon, Olivia Krzystofiak, Sofia Miller, Liliana Nieto, Kailyn Novak, Emelia Royer, and Sadie Towers. This distinction is awarded only after completing an additional choreography session and performing in front of the camp and judges.
Agne earned special recognition from a UDA staff member for her hard work and standout performance.
“We’ve never been more proud of our team. We’ve worked so hard for this and now it’s time to prove ourselves on the national stage,” she said. “My biggest takeaway from UDA camp this year is that you should never be afraid of a challenge. Challenging yourself and stepping out of your comfort zone will only help you become more resilient.”
Kirsch echoed the importance of connection and team spirit.
“Our team dynamic is already strong and even with just a few events together, I feel so connected to these girls,” she said. “Everyone’s incredibly talented, hard-working, and supportive. It truly feels like a second family.”
For Sherman, the camp was more than just training. It was transformative.
“Watching the JV dancers walk into the gym the first day, full of nerves and excitement, and then witnessing their development over the course of the week was something special,” she said.
The dancers were immersed in a rigorous schedule of choreography, technique classes and team-building activities. Each day brought challenges that tested their stamina, focus and collaboration.
“At camp, the dancers are pushed mentally, physically and emotionally. They learn to lean on each other for support,” Sherman said. “We bond so much through nightly review sessions, team meetings and even the little moments in between. It really sets the tone for the rest of our season.”
Sherman is looking forward to what promises to be a landmark season. As the team moves into the fall, they’ll continue energizing crowds at home football games, promoting school spirit, and hosting their annual Youth Dance Clinic, an event that brings more 100 local kindergarten through eighth-grade students onto the field for a halftime performance.
In the winter, the team will focus on a return to the Illinois Drill Team Association (IDTA) state finals, where the Bulldogs were third in AAA Jazz division in 2024 and second in 2025.
“This is a special year with an incredibly talented team and 12 dedicated seniors,” Sherman noted. “It is my personal goal to send these seniors off with many amazing memories of their time as RBHS Pupettes. We’re looking forward to a fun football season, a strong competition season and wrapping it all up with nationals.”
Lyons Township poms
Lyons Township delivered an outstanding performance at UDA camp to earn a coveted bid to Division I nationals.
All 14 seniors — Maya Bylsma, Peyton Carmody, Maddie Dienes, Hayden Frazier, Alexis Jain, Brooke Manley, Lily Martin, Maeve McCormack, Lucia Nemeth, Greta Newlin, Samantha Sexton, Elizabeth Shorrock, Karina Singh and Elaina Stoltz — received All-America recognition with two awarded combine scholarships. The Lions also brought home three Pin-It Forward honors, further highlighting their leadership and spirit.
The junior varsity also had an impressive showing, earning a superior trophy, all blue ribbons, and first place in the home routine. Additionally the Lions were recognized with the St. Jude Spirit Stick for their enthusiasm and positive impact throughout the event.
Nazareth Academy poms
The Roadrunners qualified for the UDA Division II nationals, Jan. 30-Feb. 1, in Orlando after their varsity received superior status and a Drill Down award at summer camp July 19-21 at Illinois State University.
Varsity All-Americans were seniors Lilly Baldwin, Zoe Weiss, Bea Keenan, Gabriel Imbarrato and Elise Ochoa and sophomores Olivia Caputo and Ivy Wiet.
The JV also received superior team status.
Bill Stone contributed to this story.
