When asked what it’s like to be a part of the Old Quarry Varsity Cheerleading Team, eighth grade members had some common words to share, but maybe not what you’d expect. Words like “Hard Work, Dedication, Determination, and Trust” are certainly to be expected from a team of athletes who have seen multiple state championships firsthand but statements by these young athletes show that the team is about more than winning. They use words like “Sisterhood, Legacy, and Family” to clearly demonstrate that they are thinking beyond themselves to build something truly remarkable. 

“For me being on this team means being a part of hard work, dedication, and the sisterhood that continues to be built here,” said Maddie S. "It has taught me leadership, teamwork and to push myself beyond my limits.”

“To me, Old Quarry Cheer means sisterhood and determination,” added Audrey H. “This winning legacy is one that I know future Quarry Girls will continue and I am so proud to be a part of it.”

“Being an Old Quarry cheerleader to me means being a part of one big family and a group of girls who all support each other,” said Marissa D. “No matter what happens, we are all there for each other and we all love each other!”

For these student athletes and the dedicated team of coaches who support them, the legacy of Old Quarry Cheer is something that is never far from their minds. At the 2026 IESA State Championship, the team put up an outstanding score of 96.63 to earn the seventh state championship in the history of the program, the fourth consecutive state championship, and for some eighth grade members of the varsity team, a perfect end to a perfect record.

The Origin Story: Making a Legacy

Claudia DeSantis is a Speech Language Pathologist at Old Quarry Middle School who also serves as the Head Cheerleading Coach. She grew up in Lemont and cheered as a student at OQMS. After her 8th grade year she took on a junior coach role as a freshman in high school and continued to be a part of the program before eventually taking over as coach four years ago. She knew early on that coaching was her calling and that cheerleading was her passion. 

Ever since establishing a competition team in 2015, Old Quarry has been present at every state championship, earning second place from 2015-2017, first place from 2018-2020, returning post COVID to get second place in 2022, and of course, being crowned state champions from 2023 to 2026. 

Putting in the Work: The Road to State

The team practices for two hours twice a week and because DeSantis is involved with other non-school cheer programs with the athletes, they are able to build up from a very strong foundation. Tryouts began in April 2025 with rosters announced before practices began in May, continuing over the summer to prepare for the competition season that begins in December. With the biggest tryout rate ever, the program has a Varsity and a JV level with about 20 athletes on each team. 

Students of course have to find time to be a student first, keeping up with their learning, staying on top of homework, and enjoying life at middle school. With strong team values and clear expectations, every athlete knows that they are expected to be respectful and cheer each other on, even when it’s hard.

“I don’t like to overwork them because we can accomplish a lot with good practice and we really believe in quality over quantity,” said DeSantis. “We have a strong culture at OQ Cheer and it really means a lot to be a part of this. This team does a great job being a family and are really supportive of each other and are so encouraging.”

“I love cheering alongside girls that support me and make the hard work worth it,” said Kayla who has been on varsity for two years. “What OQ Cheer means to me is that you’re a part of a sisterhood that creates memories and friendships along the way,” added Grace M. 

As a team, perfection is not expected, but each athlete knows they can contribute the best individual effort possible and it will grow a culture of success. Competition season begins in December with events happening every weekend. When the coaches were informed that the team would have a morning competition time for the state competition, they implemented morning practices beginning at 6:15 a.m. to get the girls ready to be ready to rock even at an early hour. 

By the time the state competition rolled around, the team was undefeated and constantly aiming to be the best and showing that they truly enjoyed being around each other. 

“That’s not something you can teach because being an OQ cheerleader is in your blood,” said DeSantis. “They did not allow any disadvantage or challenge to be put against them, they were just themselves.”

The Big Day: One Chance for a Championship  

On the day of the state competition, the Old Quarry Warriors were in Peoria and feeling good. They had a 6:45 a.m. lobby call where they gathered before moving toward a rented ballroom where they could be together, get their nerves out, stretch, warm up, and have some fun. There were highs and lows in the final moments of practice and warmups, but when the coaches turned up the music, Bad Bunny in honor of the Super Bowl Halftime Show, the mood shifted to fun but determined. 

“As coaches we each write a letter for every individual athlete and deliver them during this time,”  said DeSantis. “We try to create a strong connection and acknowledge their nerves and let them know that we see them, we understand them, and we are here for them. Nerves are ok, having nerves means that you care, they keep you checked in, and keep your brain working.”

Upon getting the letters, some athletes cried, some laughed, and when it was time, the determination in the room was palpable. Hugs were exchanged and off they went. 

“It all comes down to those three minutes on the state floor and all we can do as coaches is hope that the things you instilled, worked on, or focused on will do what they need to do,” reflected DeSantis. 

Spoiler alert: those three minutes on the state floor went amazingly well. The team walked out and did what coaches called the best OQ cheer routine that has ever been done with some of the hardest skills ever done in junior high cheerleading. The last part of the routine involved a skill known as “two mans” where it is just one girl lifting another by themselves, a hard skill at any age. 

“We can tell what they are thinking by watching their faces,” said DeSantis. “When they hit that final pose you could just see their pride on full display and you could tell that every single one of them knew they had put it all out on the floor.”

After the final pose, they walked off, knowing that they had done something remarkable. Coaches encourage greatness but also tell the team that regardless of the overall success rate, they are part of something bigger than themselves which was taken to heart by the student athletes. 

“What I have learned throughout my time on OQ Cheer is the importance of being disciplined, pushing myself if I want to give up, and having confidence in all of my skills,” added Savanna L. “Being an Old Quarry Cheerleader means that you’re part of a legacy and part of something bigger than just yourself,” Madelyn P. 

DeSantis and the coaches are already thinking about next year, getting the tryout packet ready to go, doing some scheduling, and preparing for what comes next. It’s clear though that this team of state champions have learned far more than skills and teamwork, they have been instilled with values that will serve them well for the rest of their lives. 

Eight Grader Muireann B. summed it up well. 

“Old Quarry Cheerleading is more than just teammates and athletes or a cheer team. It’s more like a family and a sisterhood of people I can trust to support me and each other like a big family. The memories we got to make, the friendship and bonds, as well as the legacy we got to build was all part of having a lot of fun together.