Bringing It Home: Lincoln-Way West Cheerleaders Celebrated for Stellar Season

Lincoln-Way West cheerleaders might be accustomed to leading the cheering—but the tables were delightfully turned Monday, February 9.

The squad was the center of celebration for its Feb. 7 third-place finish at IHSA state competition, during a presentation of the state trophy to Dr. Monica Schmitt, principal, and Athletic Director Ted Robbins in front of several hundred fans between the sophomore basketball game and varsity basketball games.

“What a fantastic year for West’s cheerleading team and for West,” said Ted Robbins, West Athletic Director, as he welcomed students, parents, school board members, district administrators and community members to the trophy presentation held in the gymnasium at West.

“We are very proud of not only your trophies and awards, but also on how you always represent yourself, your school, and your community with dignity and class.”

In the IHSA Medium Team Division, Lincoln-Way West earned a state trophy placing third with a score of 88.27. Hampshire High School earned first place with 88.90 points and Columbia High School earned second place with 88.27. Fourth place was Lemont High School with 87.80 points and fifth was Tinley Park High School with 87.43.

Coaches for the West varsity cheerleading team are Head Coach Sara Sabo, and Assistant Coaches Ashley Goldberg and Jessica Brooks.

“We are so proud of our West Warrior Cheerleaders, thank you ladies for all your hard work this season to bring home a state trophy. We also want to thank our parents for all their sacrifices and support of the program, and all the West fans,” Dr. Monica Schmitt, principal, told the team, parents and fans during the ceremony.

Coach Sabo said the placing was hard-earned, after a season that started off with scores that fell short of the girls’ expectations. The coaches tweaked the girls’ routine, and came back stronger each showing.

“The girls had an extremely successful season this year!” Sabo told Patch. “After coming out of the first three competitions with scores that didn’t line up with the girls’ goals, we changed a few things around and came back with a win in the medium division at the Buffalo Grove Invite—there were 19 extremely talented squads at this competition.

“The girls continued to improve and perfect their routine which lead them to first place at the next three consecutive competitions: Knight Invite (LWC), SWSC Red Conference at Andrew, and Sectionals at Joliet West.”

The squad’s hard work helped them advance to State, where an error in a stunt in the first day left them wondering if they would advance, Sabo said.

“The announcers really had us on the edge of our seats when they called Lincoln-Way West last,” she said. “We were tied for 9th place going into the day two performance. The girls were thrilled to have made it to the second day and ready to perform for the last and final time as a squad.”

The squad “nailed” their final performance, securing a spot on the podium—and a trophy to bring home.

The 18 members of the West cheerleading team are: Hayley Anderson, Emily Beland, Allison Rymek, Sarah Magda, Megan Yelnick, Kara O’Leary, Amanda Thompson, Ariel Redmond, Sydney Whalen, Jessica Wallace, Megan Lynch, Lauren Curry, Danielle Magda, Alexis Fantin, Alondra Medellin, Mallory Root, Regina Durling, and Brianna Clark.

“You are what we at West want our student-athletes to be: strong, devoted, classy, competitive people who have fun and are fun to be around. We could not be prouder of each and every one of you,” said Schmitt.

The state trophy will be permanently displayed in a trophy case located in the hall outside of the gym.