Senior Hayden Frazier and her Lyons Township pom teammates were on the verge of program history at the IHSA competitive dance state meet after reaching finals with the third highest qualifying score.
“LT poms has never gotten top three – or we call it The Podium,” Frazier said.
The program’s greatest postseason ever concluded with arguably their greatest performances. The Lions earned second in Class 3A, Jan. 31, in Bloomington with a score of 96.60, just shy of state champion Lake Park’s 96.88, after scoring 95.26 in prelims.
“We made it our goal to make it to the top three. Actually accomplishing that (trophy) and not only that but second, was a big goal,” Frazier said. “Third place (is hard) because you either move down and lose the podium or move up. It was so relieving and so exciting to get second.”
State performers 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.
The Lions are coached by head coach Brittany Smith and assistant Annie Pinta. The program has flourished under Smith, qualifying for state nine straight years.
In 2024, the Lions reached the 12-team finals for the first time and finished sixth. Last season, they were seventh at state and captured their first sectional title.
With this season’s Dracula-themed routine, choreographed by Frazier and Foley, the Lions also won the Maine South Sectional (94.20 Jan. 24) and the West Suburban Conference Silver Division Meet (87.53 Jan. 19).
“We have put so much hard work into the season and it was so rewarding to be able to make state history for our program in return,” Peyton Carmody said. “We were able to leave a legacy on the program and, as a senior, could not be happier leaving on such a high note.”
Final state standings are based solely on championship performances. While pleased with their routine, the Lions had a moment of concern as only the top three teams were announced during awards. Stevenson finished third at 94.86 after being fourth in prelims.
Had the Lions moved up or down?
“When they announced second (for LTHS), it was chaos. We were screaming, crying and all of the emotions with the coaches in the circle,” Frazier said. “We were all celebrating and it was a surreal feeling being the ones to walk across the stage and get a trophy. We’d always seen other teams do that. Being able to do that was such a crazy moment and I’m so glad I got to experience that.”
The Lions added to their trophy collection in the program’s first trip to the Universal Dance Association National Dance Team Championship for Division I (large schools) at the Walt Disney World Resort, Feb. 6-8, in Orlando, Florida. The Lions were fifth in the Jazz Division (88.425) as well as 11th in the Game Day Division in reaching the semifinals (84.7333). The team only had three days of practice between returning from state and leaving for Florida.
“We made sure to use our successes at state as a motivating factor for nationals and the excitement of the new, unknown experience and also helped us get through the short week,” Peyton Carmody said.
Frazier said Smith jumped on her back crying after receiving the news the Jazz routine advanced to finals, even with a performance they felt could have been better. In finals, the Lions were even more determined to go out with no regrets.
“That was the most united we’ve ever been on the floor,” Frazier said. “Everyone gave everything they had, knowing we’d never do that dance again.”
The Game Day performance also was memorable and successful, especially considering the Lions practiced mostly on the Dracula routine.
“All 27 team members were on the floor (competing) so that was a fun experience as well,” Frazier said.
The genesis and evolvement of the Dracula routine added to the accomplishments. In past seasons, the Lions’ routines have been choreographed professionally. Dressed in all black, the Lions first added contrasting red skirts as planned during the Silver Meet and improved upon the addition at sectionals.
“We made sure to tell each other we were doing this (routine) for us and created our success ourselves and that’s what really made a difference,” Frazier said. “Even though Nora and I choreographed that routine, it was really the whole team putting effort into it and that’s what made it our success and so proud of it.”
Frazier will join the dance team at the University of Michigan. Other seniors are considering college dance teams as well.
“I hope that our team has helped future LT poms teams make a name for themselves,” Peyton Carmody said. “I also hope that this season will remind and motivate the rest of my teammates to focus on one another and be personable to achieve whatever goals they have set.”
