Montini pep rally recognizes three state championship teams
A pep rally for three state championship teams coupled with some long-awaited warm weather resulted in a perfect end to the week for students at Montini Catholic High School.
The Lombard school's gym was packed with students, parents and community members an hour before dismissal Friday to recognize the state champion poms, wrestling and girls basketball teams. The school's math team, which placed second at regionals and will soon be heading to state, also was acknowledged.
Principal Maryann O'Neill said any time students excel it deserves to be celebrated. She said hosting a pep rally is positive both for the athletes and the students watching from the stands.
"I think it's especially good for the younger ones to see what can happen with hard work and dedication," she said. "It's really good to be recognized by your peers."
Each member of every team was individually introduced with the sound of music and clapping in the background. The athletes gathered in the center of the gym, some holding plaques and trophies won during the season.
During the rally, the poms team performed their state championship routine and Lombard Trustee Reid Foltyniewicz presented village proclamations recognizing all three teams.
In a playful way to determine the "grand champion," an intense game of musical chairs took place between the individual state wrestling champions and the captains of the girls basketball and poms teams. One of the wrestling champions came out on top, causing the entire wrestling team to storm onto the floor as students smiled and cheered from the bleachers.
"Not only are they good athletes, but they're good students," O'Neill said. "What they learn in the classroom translates to the court or the field and the other way around: the discipline, the hard work, the attention to detail."
Most recently, the girls basketball team took the Class 3A championship after a 57-44 victory over Joliet Catholic Academy. It is their fourth state title in five years.
On March 2, the Broncettes took the state championship in poms and third place for open poms in Division 2A. A day earlier, the wrestling team took the Class 2A state title for the seventh year in a row. Five boys from the team were also crowned individual state champions this year.