Lemont Hornet Cheerleaders Qualify for State Competition

The Lemont Hornets have something to cheer about.

Earlier this month, all four of the organizations' cheerleading teams — superlight, lightweight, junior varsity and varsity — took first place at the Junior Mustang Round-Up competition in Wheeling. With their scores, all four teams also earned bids to the Illinois Recreational Cheerleading Association's fourth annual state competition, which will be held Dec. 3-4 at the Sears Center in Hoffman Estates.

The varsity squad — coached by Hornets Cheerleading Director Lisa Steck, Jymi Pukula and Betty Dawson — will represent the organization at the state championship.

"We're so proud of all the cheerleaders, from our youngest squad up to varsity," Steck said. "They've worked extremely hard this season, and we're looking forward to sending the older girls to state."

Last year, the varsity Hornets placed fourth at state due to minor point deductions. The team is looking to rebound this year and bring the title home to , Steck said.

"The girls are dedicated and they want to win," she said. "We'll have a whole new routine for state — something that's high quality and more difficult. We have to step it up if we want to win it all."

Most recently, the Hornets participated in the West Side Invitational at Lincoln-Way West on Oct. 16. The varsity squad took first place in both cheer in pom, JV took first in cheer and third in pom, the lightweights placed second in cheer and first in pom, and the superlights took first in cheer and second in pom.

The Lemont Hornets youth football and cheerleading program is an independent, non-profit orgaization run entirely by parent volunteers. The program's objective is to build athleticism and teach the fundamentals of football and cheerleading through good sportsmanship, teamwork, respect, coordination and competitiveness.

The junior varsity cheer squad is coached by Diane Dombrowski, the lightweights are coached by April Rita and the superlights are coached by Bridget Bishop.

To help defray some of the costs of the competition, the Hornets are seeking sponsorships from local residents and businesses. Sponsorships start at $50 and include an advertisement in the program's 2012 adbook, which is distributed to 300 local families.

For more information on sponsorship opportunities, email Lisa Steck at lisa.steck.nw2L@statefarm.com.