Community Corner
Colts Cheerleaders Take A Strong Second In State
Working around several injuries the Grayslake Colts Seventh Grade Varsity Cheerleading Squad proved they can overcome any challenge.
The final competition of the season proved to be the most rewarding for the Grayslake Colts Seventh Grade Varsity Cheerleading squad. The team of 13 placed second in the state competition held at the Sears Center in Chicago.
“The girls worked really hard and really stepped it up; not just for state, but really during the entire season,” said Head Coach Kim Greenfield.
The squad began the season already behind, with a smaller squad of 13, rather than the usual 17 or 18. Then several members suffered injuries and the revolving door of who was able to compete began.
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“We had to go into a competition having lost two girls just the night before due to injury,” Greenfield said. “The girls really had to change up their routines constantly and they were forced to work around that.”
The Seventh Grade Varsity Cheerleading Squad included Emily Blouch, Camryn Delforte, Kiley Dempsey, Karina Gentile, Mackenzie Greenfield, Dana Parks, Breana Paul, Tiffany Reid, Talia Ross, Kylie Sewell, Tiffany Suciu, Danielle Voss and Katie Wilkinson.
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Greenfield lead the squad with co-head coach Kim Delforte, and junior coaches Sara Bongratz, Nicole Carrao and Samantha Mayer.
The squad received its state bid at the Warren Competition in October when they finished first in their division.
“This is one of those groups where when they get on stage they just know how to turn it on, whether they are down a number of girls or not,” Greenfield said.
“I had tears in my eyes. It was absolutely amazing,” said Dawn Glick, Director of Cheer and Poms for the Colts organization. “For our girls to be able to compete at this level is phenomenal, really.”
A total of six Colts cheerleading and poms squads made it to the state competition including the Pee-Wee, Fetherweight, JV Squad and Seventh Grade Varsity for cheerleading. The Featherweight Poms received a bid for state and made an appearance, and the Varsity Poms took first place.
For more results, check out Colts Varsity Poms Win State Title and Featherweight Poms Beat the System to Take Third.
