Community Corner
Colts Varsity Poms Wins State Title
The Grayslake Colts Varsity Poms won a state title in their first-ever appearance at the competition.
For a first-ever trip to the state competition, the Grayslake Colts Varsity Poms proved a force to be reckoned with and came home in first place.
The squad made up of 32 sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students won the large Varsity division state title at the Sears Center in Chicago.
“We weren’t expecting it at all,” said Colts coach Christy Peterson. “It was such an awesome surprise and when the girls realized they won, it was priceless.”
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The Varsity Poms team included Breanna Albert, Julia Amidei, Anna Brezinski, Emily Brown, Katelyn Bucich, Becca Carr, Alexis Darnall, Naomi Gibbs, Kaylee Hanebuth, Mackenzie Hay, Hope Hudgins, Anna Humphreys, Isabelle Huntington, Emma Indlecoffer, Octavia Jenkins, Rachel Karl, Jia Kirk, Claire Korjenek, Stephanie Krnich, Sidney Lovitsch, Eliana Low, Riley Mack, Sarah Mettler, Erin Mohica, Samantha Nicholas, Sydney Paez, Samantha Pokorny, Lucy Trabulsy, Laura Tuttle, Mackenzie Winters, Anna Wondrasek and Isabel Yunker.
Leading the team to victory were head coaches Christy Peterson and Lynda Hansen, and junior coaches Amy Kennedy, Clare Hanks, Gabby Vitulli and Jacqueline Lopez.
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The squad qualified for state last month by placing first in the Cheer Build competition hosted by Illinois Recreational Cheer Association (IRCA). They took second in the preliminary state competition Dec. 3, propelling them into the finals Dec. 4.
“What I told them that morning that just getting into the finals was such an honor,” said Peterson. “I just wanted them to appreciate just how hard they had worked for it.”
The Colts joined IRCA three years ago but have not competed in the state competition due to financial constraints. With a boost in fundraising and a commitment by team members and parents, the Colts Board allowed the Poms and Cheerleading squads to enter the competition this year.
A total of six cheerleading and pom squads from the Colts organization went to the state competition including the Pee-Wee, Featherweight, JV Squad and Seventh Grade Varsity in cheerleading.
Along with the Varsity Poms, the Featherweight Poms also received a bid for state and made an appearance.
For more results, check Colts Cheerleading Takes a Strong Second at State and Colts Featherweight Poms Beat the System to Take Third.
