With last year’s achievement of going to state, this year, Plainfield East’s cheer team is working hard to get to state again. 

With higher standards, more enthusiastic students joining, and upcoming competitions and games, Coach Grace Treptow, JV and Varsity are all working diligently to reach their goal. 

“The team’s standards are higher now. Our goal is now to make the top 15 in the state. Last year we placed 25th. We compete in the large division, which is considered the most competitive division,” said Treptow, Head Cheer Coach. 

As the cheerleaders on JV and Varsity know, success comes with communication. Every game and practice is a chance to grow closer as a team. 

“During those practices, we grow really close as a team,” said Sabrina Lagottolla, JV Cheerleader. 

Games, practices, and other meetings are all utilized to help every cheerleader improve. The team will have good and bad days; that is inevitable, but as Coach Treptow says, “Success doesn’t happen without failure. Without mistakes, we would never learn; it’s how we respond to failure that defines our success.”  

Many cheerleaders have been doing this for years, and it plays a huge part in their lives. Many people continue to cheer after they graduate, and many coach it, as seen with Coach Treptow, who has been Plainfield East’s head coach for two years now; however, her coaching experience has expanded to the past five years. 

As for the students, their motivations lie in their love for the sport, “My motivation is just how cheer makes me feel and how happy I am doing it,” Lagattolla said.

Our cheerleaders here at East try their very hardest to ensure they can reach their goal of a flawless performance during competitions. 

“We are hoping to hit a perfect 0 every performance, meaning a routine with no mistakes,” Treptow said.

It is clear our cheerleaders are doing everything they can to boost school spirit and place in state. They improve as a team after each season, so make sure to support them and their progress by going to games.