Lemont Cheerleaders Finish Third at IHSA State Finals

The  cheerleading squad's reign as state champion came to an end Saturday after the team finished third at the IHSA Cheerleading State Finals in Bloomington.

The Indians delivered a mistake-free routine on the second day of competition, earning a score of 88.18. They finished behind Medium Division champion St. Viator (89.04) and runner-up Oak Forest (88.28).

Lemont after posting an 85.78 on Friday—ranking the team fifth among 25 Medium Division teams.

This year's competition marks the seventh consecutive season Lemont has finished among the top three teams in the state. The Indians placed third in 2006, and was runner-up in 2007 and 2008 before winning three straight championships in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

Cheerleading is the only program at Lemont High School .

Led by coach Brittany Glowa, the Indians qualified for the 2012 IHSA State Finals by  at the Joliet Central Sectional on Jan. 28. Lemont's score of 83.00 trailed only IHSA Sectional Champion and fellow South Suburban Conference school Oak Forest, which totaled 87.67. Two other SSC schools—Tinley Park (82.83) and Bremen (80.57)—followed in third and fourth.

Lemont's squad comprises seniors Alex Lyewski and Nicole May; juniors Ashley Baldyga, Brittany Cantarino, Amber D'Andrea, Molly Finnelly, Stefanie Guerrero, Katie Howe and Carly Tucker; sophomores Maddies Detres, Emily Durham, Kelsey Tate, Gianna Turek and DJ Wohead; and freshmen Elly Lambert, Nicole Markley, Stephanie Markley, Brianna Olkiewicz, Sam Palumbo and Sammy Walus.

Cheerleading is the fourth Lemont High School athletic program to compete at the state level this year. The finished third in the IHSA Class 2A finals; the was 21st at the IHSA Class 2A finals; and competed at the IHSA Class AA girls golf state finals.