For juniors Simone Black and Giada DeCola and freshman Penelope Black, reaching the Class 2A state meet with the Fenwick competitive cheerleading team was twice as nice. The Riverside residents helped the Friars finish 23rd in Friday’s preliminaries (85.50 points) with Black and DeCola making their second appearances as third-year varsity members. Simone and Penelope Black also are sisters.
“The team is my second family. We came from different backgrounds of gymnastics, dance and cheer. I love how we’re able to use everyone’s talents to maximize the team,” Simone Black said. “It’s been a great year for Fenwick in athletics. [Class 6A state football] was a huge win for Fenwick. Then to qualify for cheer state again made for so many memorable life experiences for mine and Giada’s junior year.”
The Friars improved on last year’s state score when they finished 20th in the Medium Division (84.88). Head coach Carlotta Fleming competed for Fenwick in cheerleading at state in 2013.
“We are very grateful for our coaches. They are so supportive and believe in us,” DeCola said. “Making state again was so amazing. We are so grateful. We put in a lot of time and effort and some tears. We came together as a team, pushing through struggles to make each other better athletes.”
The trio were assistant coaches this past season for Hauser Junior High School and trained and choreographed the St. Mary School cheerleading team. The juniors also were Hauser assistant coaches the previous year and encouraged Penelope Black to try out for Fenwick’s team.
“Though Fenwick cheer requires a lot of hard work, it is all worth it,” Penelope said. “I was so grateful to make varsity as freshman. Then to make IHSA state made it that much better. The bonds I created on the cheer team are like no other. I have has so much fun with my teammates.”
In the Coed Division, Lyons Township finished 16th (89.20) in the preliminaries.
Team members are seniors Abril Aguilar, Erin Gugliuzza, Sophia Horwath, Aracely McNamara, Ryan Renderman, Maggie Sammon and Bridget Waight, juniors Averie Grigus, Brandon Harris, Hayden Livingston, Ashlynn Monckton, Gloria Podolner, Annika Rebolledo, Kennedi Ross, Olivia Van Wyck, Audreya Wilkins and Aleigh Zeman, sophomores Nicky Gatto Aylee Holguin, and Madison Southfield, and freshmen Ava Malinowski, Caley Spain and Alyse Strayerr.
The Lions are coached by Sharon Lupo and Ana Lepacek. Holguin, Malinowski and Rebolledo are Brookfield residents.
While disappointed, the Lions equaled their second-best state finish after finishing a program-best 10th in 2025 – their first time advancing to Saturday’s 10-team finals. They also won a third straight West Suburban Conference title (Silver Division).
“There were definitely bright spots [at state]. Our standing tumbling looked incredible and was executed really well. Unfortunately, we ran into some stunting issues,” Urso said. “No matter what happened at state, they have so much to be proud of. Finishing 16th is an amazing accomplishment and a true reflection of their hard work all season long.”
Riverside Brookfield team members were seniors Sam Bohrer, Mariella Hutar and Tali Schultz, juniors Samantha Daun, Nora Evans, Averie Gizewski, Chloe Gonzalez, Jonathan Gutierrez, Alexa Maciejewski, Olivia Madera and Juniper Wendel, and sophomores Sienna Giampietro, Alyssa Norman, Avery Strobel, Isabella Taliferro and Anabel Wzorek.
Coaches were head coach Laruen Vara and assistant coach McKenzie Rosenbusch.
The Bulldogs did not qualify for IHSA state but finished second at the ICCA Championships and fifth at the Upstate Eight Conference Meet. Fifteen Bulldogs competed at IHSA sectionals.
“Collectively, these accomplishments reflect the continued progress of the RBHS cheer program and the foundation being built for future success,” Vara said.
