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Riverside Today
By the People, for the People
Riverside trio helps Fenwick cheerleaders return to state
Friars finish 23rd in 2A; Lions 16th in Coed at fifth straight trip
Published on Feb. 10, 2026
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Juniors Simone Black and Giada DeCola, along with freshman Penelope Black, all from Riverside, helped the Fenwick competitive cheerleading team qualify for the Class 2A state meet. The Friars finished 23rd in the preliminaries, while the Lyons Township Lions finished 16th in the Coed Division.
Why it matters
Fenwick's cheerleading team has made the state meet for five consecutive years, showcasing the strength of the program and the dedication of the athletes. The Riverside trio's contributions highlight the importance of community involvement and the impact that local athletes can have on a school's sports teams.
The details
Black and DeCola were third-year varsity members, while Penelope Black was a freshman making her state debut. The Friars improved on last year's state score, finishing 23rd with 85.50 points. In the Coed Division, Lyons Township finished 16th with 89.20 points, equaling their second-best state finish.
- The Fenwick competitive cheerleading team qualified for the Class 2A state meet on February 10, 2026.
- The Friars finished 23rd in the state preliminaries on February 10, 2026.
- The Lyons Township Lions finished 16th in the Coed Division state preliminaries on February 10, 2026.
The players
Simone Black
A junior from Riverside who is a third-year varsity member of the Fenwick competitive cheerleading team.
Giada DeCola
A junior from Riverside who is a third-year varsity member of the Fenwick competitive cheerleading team.
Penelope Black
A freshman from Riverside who is a member of the Fenwick competitive cheerleading team.
Carlotta Fleming
The head coach of the Fenwick competitive cheerleading team, who competed for Fenwick in cheerleading at state in 2013.
Sharon Lupo
One of the coaches of the Lyons Township Lions competitive cheerleading team.
What they’re saying
“The team is my second family. We came from different backgrounds of gymnastics, dance and cheer. I love how we're able to use everyone's talents to maximize the team.”
— Simone Black (rblandmark.com)
“We are very grateful for our coaches. They are so supportive and believe in us. Making state again was so amazing. We are so grateful. We put in a lot of time and effort and some tears. We came together as a team, pushing through struggles to make each other better athletes.”
— Giada DeCola (rblandmark.com)
“Though Fenwick cheer requires a lot of hard work, it is all worth it. I was so grateful to make varsity as freshman. Then to make IHSA state made it that much better. The bonds I created on the cheer team are like no other. I have has so much fun with my teammates.”
— Penelope Black (rblandmark.com)
The takeaway
The Riverside trio's contributions to the Fenwick cheerleading team's return to the state meet showcase the importance of community involvement and the impact that local athletes can have on a school's sports programs. Their dedication and teamwork have helped Fenwick maintain its strong cheerleading tradition.
