The Lemont High School cheerleading squad set out in September to defend their state title after placing first in its division at last year’s tournament.
And last weekend in Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington, the cheerleaders reached their goal, landing a 91.20 score, enough to edge runner-up Crystal Lake Central High School, which scored 90.77.
“This is definitely the best thing I’ve ever been a part of,” said Katie Boyle, a senior who’s been cheering all four years of high school.
It was the fourth state title for coach Dave Erlenbaugh in his eight years with the team.
“Never have I wanted (the title) more than for this team,” he said.
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Erlenbaugh said the 21 members of the team, including nine seniors, bonded with each other quickly and were soon able to gel.
“This team from the start was special,” he said. “We never had to ask to them to work harder. They asked if of themselves.”
Boyle said the squad “never settled” and members were “100 percent dedicated throughout the season.”
“There was never a day I didn’t want to be there,” she said.
But Erlenbaugh said the final routine was a bit of a “nail-biter.”
“There was one bobble,” he said. “But the kids saved it, so it still looked good. But it left the door open for some of the other top teams.”
Crystal Lake Central missed walking through that door by less than half of a point.
Erlenbaugh also coached the Indians to state titles in 2011, 2014 and 2017 and had made it to the state competition every year after placing in the sectional.
He said his son choreographed the championship routine in 2014.
The Indians also won state titles in 2009 and 2010 prior to Erlenbaugh’s arrival.
He attributes the team’s success to the Lemont community, where families, businesses and school administrators all support the cheerleading program. Erlenbaugh said many of the athletes start in the sport as young as five years old.
“There’s a culture of excellence in the community of Lemont,” Erlenbaugh said.
The cheer squad is one only two athletic programs at the high school to win a state championship. The other is the baseball team.
With eight juniors on this year’s championship cheer squad Erlenbaugh is confident the future is just as bright.
“Next year looks just as good as this year,” he said.
As for Boyle, she plans to continue to cheering next year at Grand Valley State University in Michigan.
Frank Vaisvilas is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
Southland schools place at state cheerleading finals
Several area high schools placed in the top 10 teams in their divisions at the Illinois Competitive cheerleading State Final last weekend in Bloomington.
In the Large Team division, Marist in Chicago took 2nd place, Sandburg in Orland Park won 4th place and Lincoln-Way East in Frankfort took 7th place.
In the Medium Team division, Lemont won 1st place, Oak Forest won 4th place and Tinley Park took 10th place.
And in the Coed Team division, Lockport Township won 3rd place and Shepard in Palos Heights took 10th Place.
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