It’s been a recent tradition that Lyons Township High School’s competitive dance team goes to the Illinois High School Association state meet.

You can set your calendar by it. If there is a state meet, Lyons will be competing. It’s been that way since 2018.

But for the first eight appearances in the Class 3A competition, the Lions never brought back a trophy.

Thanks in part to Dracula and a couple of seniors, that all changed on Jan. 31 when the team finished second in the state at the meet, which was held at the Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington.

Lyons came up with a performance that drew a 96.60 score from the judges, just a small fraction below champion Lake Park’s 96.88.

For those unfamiliar with the dynamic during the awards, there are 10 teams that make the finals in each division. After the competition, the drama gets thick as third, second and first place winners are announced. No one knows if they finished 10th or in the top three until the announcement.

So, the teams all sit on the floor in a circle and wait. And the people running the show milk the drama as much as they can to heighten the tension.

The team from Stevenson in Lincolnshire was the first to be announced, taking third. After the Patriots accepted their awards and took their photos, it was time for the second-place team to be announced. It was Lyons.

“After the third-place team was announced, it was definitely a rollercoaster of emotions,” Lions coach Brittany Smith said.“Our thoughts were, it’s anybody’s game, now.

“There is that little bit of doubt and there is also that hope. But we were happy knowing that we put our best foot forward. But it was anyone’s game going into the whole weekend.”

The result was a historic trophy.

What made this year’s team so special?

Smith said rather than use an outside choreographer, seniors Hayden Frazier and Nora Foley came up with the team’s creative ideas.

“They were really good about utilizing everyone’s individual skill,” Smith said. “Everyone was able to work with each other.

“In the past we brought in choreographers and learned it over the summer. And once the season started, we would piece it all together. But having the kids do it – and knowing what everyone can do – that really made a difference.”

Smith said it’s rare to let the students have so much creative control but she felt strongly that Frazier and Foley were up to the task.

“We were at state last year and they said, ‘we have an idea,’’’ Smith said. “These two kids have choreographed shows with our Eurythmic Dance Company at our high school. Their attention to detail is great.”

This year’s theme was “Dracula,” and it took on an avant-garde side.

“It had a darkish undertone to it,” Smith said. “I don’t even know how you would describe it. So many other people said this, too, that it was something very different. No one was doing that style of music or choreography, so that helped.”

Other members of the Lions roster are Kassidy Powell, Reese Morgan, Alexa Farmer, Payton Gourley, Caroline Kethum, Liza Shorrock, Julia Diennes, Maddie Dienes, Alexis Jain, Aara Maheronnaghsh, Campbell McCarthy, Failenn Daley, Siena Giordano, Bella Holcer, Samantha Sexton, Maeve McCormack, Maddie Carmody, Natalya Thomson, Greta Newlin, Lily Martin, Karina Singh, Lucia Nemeth, Peyton Carmody, Brooke Manley, Maya Bylsma and Elaina Stoltz.

There was no break after the Lions brought home the IHSA trophy. They had a few more practices and then headed to Florida, where they competed on the national level.

Lyons took fifth at the Universal Dance Association meet in the Large Varsity D1 Jazz division in Orlando on Feb. 6-7 with an 88.4125.

“We have been to summer camps that the UDA sponsored and we have qualified for the nationals but never took the jump to actually compete,” Smith said. “But this is the year we felt like we could do it.”

Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press. 

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/09/lyons-township-dance-team-award/