State champion Glenbard South softball team arrives in style

Sirens blared, lights flashed and fans cheered Saturday as Glen Ellyn police cars and a Lisle-Woodridge fire truck escorted the state champion Glenbard South softball team onto campus.

Hannah Taylor's parents, Jeanne and Gary, played music from their van, “We are the Champions,” of course.

Hannah, whose single drove in the two runs the team needed to beat Marengo 2-1, was honored with the only poster at the rally. Her aunt, Julie Helmrich, stopped on the way from Milwaukee to Glen Ellyn to buy materials and make the sign.

“I thought everyone would have posters,” said Helmrich.

Many students who couldn't travel to East Peoria for the title game and instead watched online came to the rally to welcome their friends.

“We had ACT's (Saturday) morning,” said Kate Enright, “It was so disappointing. No incoming seniors could go.”

Second baseman Brianna Meath had the honor of catching the ball that for Marengo's final out of the game. That's why her leg was wrapped and she used crutches when she got off the bus — the whole team piled on her at the end of the game.

Nick Dolce, in a group of students who came to support their friends on the squad, said it was great the team won after placing third twice and fourth once in recent years.

Glen Ellyn Village President Mark Pfefferman, an alum of the school, said not many Glenbard South teams have won state championships, and he's looking forward to having this group's name on a new sign installed to honor Raiders who earn that title.