Immanuel-Batavia cheer team to participate in state meet
The cheer team at Immanuel Lutheran School in Batavia will be first-time participants in the 35th annual Illinois Lutheran Sports Association State Cheerleading Championship at 6 p.m. Friday, March 1, at Concordia University in River Forest.
In addition to their regular cheerleading practices and game commitments, Immanuel's state cheer team has participated in additional practices for this competition since last September.
They will compete against last year's winning team from Zion Lutheran School in Belleville, Illinois, along with several other schools.
"The girls have really worked hard on lifts and extensions. This year we added an extension and our dance moves have increased in difficulty. We also added more tumbling than we have had in the past," Coach Suydam shared.
Nine of the cheerleaders will represent Immanuel-Batavia at the State competition: Tessa Lejeck, Jane Acuna, Julia Schoppe, Julia Viehweg, Jorie Anderson, Kayleigh McLane, Olivia Groetken, Colleen Siemann, and Sarah Jerdee.
The team is coached by fifth grade teacher/assistant principal Penny Suydam and parent volunteer Melissa Lejeck.
When asked for her thoughts on this new level of competition for Immanuel students involved in this sport, assistant coach Melissa Lejeck said, "I would like to say that these girls have been working hard at mastering their stunts this season. I am very proud of them for all their hard work and am looking forward to our upcoming competition. It's been such a pleasure working with them!"
They school also offers volleyball, cross country, basketball, and track and field. The cross country teams have placed at the state and national levels, and both the boys and girls basketball teams have participated in several competitive state tournaments. The track and field team have had several state placements.
Immanuel Lutheran School is now accepting new enrollments for the 2019-20 school year. It is located one block south of the intersection of Hart Road and Pine Street in Batavia.
To learn more, contact Megan Popp, director of community connections, at (630) 406-0157 or mpopp@immanuelbatavia.org. Immanuel Lutheran School welcomes students of all races, creeds, national, and ethnic origins.