Lemont High School Cheerleaders Bring the Heat to Winter Meltdown

Lemont High School cheerleaders braved the weekend's weather, and turned up the pep at IHSA Winter Meltdown Cheer & Dance Competition Jan. 4–5, at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates. 

The JV cheerleaders took first in the small junior varsity division, after "a wonderful performance with few mistakes," said varsity co-captain D.J. Wohead.  

The varsity team went into the competition on an unexpected note. During a practice before the competition, one of the team's lead flyers was injured. 

"We had a rough week," D.J. said. "...we had about an hour to figure out what we were going to do for Saturday.

"A lot was changed in our routine and many girls had to remember new positions and parts. I'll be honest when I say many of us were extremely worried before performing."

Changes were still being made during the team's warm-up sessions, just before their performance. But the girls rose above the stress and delivered what Wohead called one of their best performances all year.

"With a couple minor mistakes, we still came out on top, taking our first 1st place of the season!" Wohead wrote to Patch. 

The varsity team toppled seven other teams, with a final score of 86. Second place went to LaSalle Peru, with 79.03, and third went to Tinley Park, with a 78.6.

The cheerleaders have four competitions left this year: one more invitational, the conference meet, the state sectional, and finally state in February.

Leave them a note of congratulations and encouragement in the comments!