The Lyons Township High School competitive poms team delivered a championship performance at the West Suburban Conference Silver Division Meet, Jan. 19, at Hinsdale South. The Lions were even better Saturday. They received a season-high score of 94.20 in winning the Class 3A Maine South Sectional to advance to the Jan. 30-31 competitive dance state meet in Bloomington for the ninth straight year.
“Our focus before the performance made the difference,” senior Hayden Frazier said. “I’m so glad we are entering state week with a performance we are proud of. State is one of the most nerve-wracking performances of the season so going in with confidence is key.”
Competing in both performances were seniors Peyton Carmody, Frazier, Alexis Jain, Brooke Manley, Lily Martin, Maeve McCormack, Lucia Nemeth, Liza Shorrock and Karina Singh, juniors Failenn Daley, Campbell McCarthy and Natalya Thompson and sophomores Madison Carmody, Julia Dienes, Alexa Farmer, Payton Gourley, Bella Holcer and Kassidy Powell. Other team members are seniors Maya Bylsma, Maddie Dienes, Nora Foley, Greta Newlin, Samantha Sexton and Elaina Stoltz, juniors Siena Giordano, Aara Maheronnaghsh and Reese Morgan and sophomore Caroline Ketchum.
They are coached by head coach Brittany Smith and assistant Annie Pinta.
“(Sectionals) wasn’t so much tweaking as it was drilling sections so our confidence could increase,” Carmody said. “Our performance has only validated our confidence and abilities. We are going into state with the same drive, mindset and intensity to further improve.”
At the WSC Silver Meet, the Lions won by .60 over York (87.53 to 86.93) after finishing second at the 2025 WSC Meet to the Dukes by just .03 (89.20 to 89.17). This was the first year WSC champions were split into the two divisions.
Smith said adjustments after their WSC routine paid off Saturday with a season-high score by nearly two points and a 2.23-point victory. The sectional title followed last year’s first sectional title (93.30) en route to seventh at state (93.07).
“It was that redemption, like we did it once. We have to get it again. We really wanted it. And it was special to them because it was done (choreographed) by the girls,” Smith said. “(They performed) wonderfully, way better than (conference). It felt good. We were all proud of it. We really locked in at practice this week and it worked.”
Frazier and Foley choreographed the Dracula-based routine with all-black outfits. In past years, the team’s routine has been professionally choreographed.
“We just thought it was easier because we know everyone’s strengths and it’s just an easier way to showcase all of our talents,” said Frazier, who added this routine is “completely opposite” from last year’s lyrically-based performance in all white.
As discussed back in August, contrasting red skirts were added to appear for the first time during the Lions’ WSC routine. One big change Saturday was when and how the red was revealed. Smith said the Lions will stay with their sectional routine at state.
“I think that being able to solidify it and not bring (the red) out until the middle of our season was a really nice aspect because it was kind of another motivating factor and sense of newness,” Carmody said after the WSC Meet.
The Lions’ junior varsity also won the Silver (80.23) by .95. Performers were Avery Jorgensen, Beatrice McGahey, Charlotte Davies, Ellie Carsello, Emma DeNaut, Ginger Bruno, Hannah Lee, Isla Johnson, Laila Lorenzi, Lily Bielski, Lola Watanabe, Maddie Stuck, Sloane Groetsma, Sophie Hartford and Vivian Rolek.
They are coached by head coach Dana Fry and assistant Nicole Dargis. Fry and team member Ella McGlynn are Brookfield residents.
Nazareth poms
Nazareth Academy advanced to the 2A state meet for the fifth straight year by winning its Maine South Sectional (88.03).
Team members are seniors Liliana Baldwin, Emma Calderon, Josie Colet, Gabriella Imbarrato, Bea Keenan, Josephine Meehan, Elise Ochoa and Zoe Weiss, juniors Cait McCall and Shaye Neville, sophomores Kiley Broderick, Olivia Caputo, Gabriella Ganal, Gianna Lavorato and Ivy Wiet and freshmen Mary Connors, Annalise Hernandez of Brookfield, Paige McNaughton and Alex Weiss.
The Roadrunners are coached by head coach Kristen Yarka and assistant coach Kristi Przybylski. This was their second sectional title in three years.
