LHS Cheerleading Squad Wins Sixth State Championship

LEMONT, IL — Lemont High School’s cheerleading program continues to cement its place among the most successful programs – regardless of the sport – in IHSA history. Making their 13th state finals appearance in as many seasons, the Indians captured the 2018 IHSA Medium Division Cheerleading State Championship at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington. The school said Lemont won the title for the second straight year and for the sixth time overall. The program has picked up 12 state trophies in 13 seasons and has never finished lower than fourth in state finals competition.

Lemont’s six state championships and 12 state trophies each are the most for any IHSA cheerleading program, the school said.

According to the school, Lemont sat in second place after the first day of competition, posting a score of 87.51 in the preliminary round. However, coach Dave Erlenbaugh’s group put together a terrific performance at the right time, scoring 91.20 in the final round to edge runner-up Crystal Lake Central (90.77) in the final round.

Lemont’s cheerleading squad is one of only two athletic programs in school history to win an IHSA team state championship, previously having done so in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014 and 2017. The school said the Indians also finished as state runners-up in 2007, 2008, 2013 and 2016, and brought home third place trophies in 2006 and 2012.

Erlenbaugh’s team includes seniors Gia Baldassano, Katie Boyle, Andrew Gonzalez, Julie Hughes, Natalie Kearney, Claudia Kociubinski, Marissa May and Stephanie Pinczes; juniors Lizzy Adell, Juliana DeSantis, Morgan Divis, Alekansdra Guzy, Marissa Loisi, Kate Roenitz, Abby Ryan and Alison Tasso; sophomores Olivia Nelson, Claire O’Malley and Morgan Wrublik; and freshman Alyiah Ward.

Photo provided by Lemont High School.