Stagg Cheerleading 'Dream Team' Steps onto State Podium for First Time in School History

When Stagg High School cheerleading coach Bridget Guzior interviewed for the job three years ago, she made a few promises to Principal Eric Olsen.

She vowed her squad would make it to the IHSA state competition in year one of her five-year plan. By year three, they would stand on the medal podium with the top squads in the state.

So far, so good.

The Stagg coed cheerleading team topped their competition throughout the season, complete with a trip to IHSA state competition Feb. 6–7 in Bloomington. After a 1.5-point deduction in the preliminary round, the team was stunned and relieved to hear they placed seventh and would move on into the finals.

Their hard work had earned them another shot at their goal—and ultimately a third-place finish in the state.

“We were ‘the little engine that could,’” Guzior said. ““They say ’start unknown, finish unforgettable.’ That’s how Stagg was. The kids give it everything. They give up turnabout (dance), they give up social activities.

“It was a bunch of kids who wanted to do it, and weren’t going to stop until they did.”

A Season to Top Them All

Competing on the state level was nothing new to six of the team’s nine seniors. In 2013, the team made it to State for only the second time in school history—when those six were sophomores. This year, they wanted the team’s younger members to feel the thrill of a spotlight they’ll never forget.

The team built a fan base as they racked up top rankings throughout the season, with first-place finishes at Wilmington Spirit Line in November and Carl Sandburg Midwest Cheerfest in December. At Joliet West, they finished second. In Buffalo Grove, they took third. They went on to finish fifth in the conference, and first at sectionals.

School administrators, staff, teachers, community members traveled to Bloomington to rally around their Chargers.

“Stagg wanted to see us win,” Guzior said. ”The administration was behind us.”

Days after their return, the cheerleaders are somewhat of celebrities as they walk the halls, other teachers tossing Guzior high fives in passing in the hallways.

“She taught all of us a really awesome lesson,” said Associate Principal Jen Tyrrell. “If you expect excellence, commit to something, more often than not you can accomplish your dreams.

“They proved her right. They proved that they could accomplish their goals. We’re all very proud of her accomplishments, her leadership, what her kids were able to accomplish.”

The team’s school pride flowed from the competition floor, on to the bus and through the route home.

“The kids sang the school song half the way home,” Guzior said, laughing.

Principal Eric Olsen praised Guzior’s vision and the team’s devotion.

“That students are really amazing athletes,” Olsen said. “Jumping from seventh to third in one performance, it really is a testament to what amazing athletes they are.

“It was really incredible, awesome to see.”

The team will finish up its remaining performances at basketball games, followed by six weeks off. Then tryouts start back up.

Palos Heights’ Shepard High School finished fifth in the same division—something Olsen recognized as a shift in the dynamics of the competitive cheerleading field.

“It was neat to see the Stagg community, south suburban community do so well,” Olsen said.

“We’re turning into a powerhouse in the south suburbs.”

As for Guzior’s “five-year plan” for her squad, she has one promise left to keep: a first-place finish at State.

“She has been dead-on, spot-on with her predictions,” Olsen said. “She’s shown that that’s a realistic possibility.”

Members of the team:

Danielle Klimas, Kimberly Williams, Attia Huizinga, Casey Bandyk, Andre Waskiel, Maddy Roe, Tyler Powell
Sylvia Polinski, Matt Disabato, Kaiti Mueller, Kasey Klimas, Nate Tangonan, Fierra Walker, Sarah Schuld, Anastasia Giannelli, Kayla Hass, Brittany Klimas, Lexi Karas, Michael Sokolowski, Tiara Patterson, Jenny Grieshaber, Sydney Thorson, Gabby Zemaitis