Buffalo Grove IHSA State Champion Co-Ed Varsity Cheerleaders Receive Heroes' Welcome at All-School Assembly

   Amid the roar of an appreciative crowd and rousing music performed by the Bison Jazz Band, the Buffalo Grove High School 2013 IHSA State Champion Co-Ed Varsity Cheerleading team was feted at an all-school assembly on Monday, Feb. 4, for their victory in the state finals at Bloomington, Ill. on Sunday, Feb. 3. 

     Assistant Principal of Student Activities Mark Schaetzlein said in his address, "In 40 years of BGHS athletics, there have only been three times that the school has celebrated a State Championship (the 1986 football team, 1988 Boys Soccer team and the 2000 Girls Basketball team). The Co-Ed Varsity Cheerleading team was composed, loose, supportive, focused and driven to succeed. They have returned as IHSA State Champions – the best Co-Ed Cheerleading team in Illinois."

     The road to the 2013 State Championship included 1st place victories at the Belvidere North High School Invite and the Rolling Meadows High School Invite, 2nd place finishes at Belvidere and Grayslake North.  Buffalo Grove finished as Conference Champions for the third consecutive year at the Mid-Suburban League Conference, which they hosted this year.  Then, on Jan. 26 at Rolling Meadows, BGHS accomplished another victory by becoming Sectional Champions for the second straight year.  In Bloomington on Feb. 1, Buffalo Grove finished in 1st place in the preliminary round out of 25 teams, earning a shot at the finals against 10 other teams.

     In front of their peers, coaches, teachers, support staff, parents and community members, the championship cheerleaders proudly hoisted their trophy and presented it to Principal Carol Burlinski.  Village of Buffalo Grove trustee and BGHS alumnus Mike Terson, Board of Education member and longtime BGHS supporter Bill Dussling, Principal Burlinski, and Girls Athletic Director Matt Myers also addressed the packed gymnasium.

     Jeff Siegal, called "the Godfather of Cheer" by Schaetzlein for winning six out of eight IHSA State Championships for Elk Grove High School and now, Buffalo Grove, took the podium, thanking his team, assistant coaches, and his captains, who also spoke.  It was an emotional moment and a highlight in the school's history.

     The BGHS 2013 State Champion Co-Ed Varsity Cheerleaders are the following: Lauren Castleman

Megan Coan, Jenny Cysweski (captain), Christina Dreffein (captain), Brian Fuertes, Joseph Gonzalez, Brandon Gooden, Lauren Hintzman, Caleb Jones, Dan Kabakov, Lexie Marsh, Faviola Mendoza, Monica Misch, Rachel Nehring, Abby Norman, Charles Nowak, Rachel Picciola, Brynn Rapp, Dar Reinhard, Sarah Ricciardi, Kailee Tasca, Sammie Theodore, Amy Walter, Jaclyn Zirngibl (captain), Justine Zirngibl, and Antonio Zmani.

     The team was featured on WGN-TV's morning news on Tuesday, Feb. 5, and will be recognized at an upcoming Township High School District 214 school board meeting.