Over on Lakeshore Drive, the Battista family is a whirlwind of activity and inspiration. Gina Battista, a full-time working Mom of three, has been balancing an already full plate with her recent role as coach for the 12U Level 2 Tri-City Wolverines cheerleading team. But for Gina, it’s all worth it. 

“I’ve been a cheer mom for five years, and when my friends, who stepped up to be coaches last year, needed help, I offered to step in and see the other side of cheer,” Gina explains. “I also wanted to experience this with my daughter, Carly, and learn how competitions work behind the scenes.”

The Wolverines had an extraordinary season, culminating in a trip to the Pop Warner Cheer Nationals in Orlando this past December. For the first time, the 12U team earned the prestigious title of Grand Champions at Regionals, placing first among 27 teams. “That was a priceless moment for all of us!” Gina shares. They finished the season strong by taking 6th place nationally—a remarkable achievement.

“We made a lot of last-minute changes to our routine before heading to Florida for Nationals,” Gina says. “These girls learned and executed without hesitation. We witnessed them literally go through blood, sweat, and tears to improve their growth in every aspect of this sport. They persevered through every low to reach the highs they hadn't achieved up until this year! We are so incredibly proud of them.” 

There’s no denying that the Battista household also runs on teamwork. Gina says her partner, Matthew, steps up in every way, while she works full-time alongside juggling cheer practice, games, and weekend competitions, as well as the extracurriculars of her other two children. “Thankfully, I have a very supportive partner!” Gina says. Her son AJ, a junior at Plainfield East High School, plays football, while 13-year-old Vince plays baseball for Elite Sports Performance (ESP). Carly, 12, is a sixth grader at JFK Middle School and has been cheering since she was five years old. She began her cheer journey with the Plainfield Saints while her brothers played football, spent a year with the Joliet Steelers, and has been proudly cheering with the Tri-City Wolverines for the past four years.

“I spend the fall season at football fields, and I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world,” Gina says. “Making memories with my kids is what life is all about for me.”

For Carly, having her mom as her coach made the season extra special. “I think having my mom as the coach is so cool,” Carly says. “I like that she was there every practice and gave us a lot of support to keep us going.” Her favorite moment? “Getting our flyer into a full over and over was my favorite moment, because we struggled for a long time with it at first. Taking first place at regionals and also earning Grand Champs tops the list!” 

The 12U Wolverines had an action-packed year with five competitions. They placed 1st at the Battle of the Best, 2nd at Conference, 1st at Rock City, and achieved Grand Champions at Regionals. Their climb to the top was no easy feat, requiring focus, dedication, and plenty of perseverance.

“We try to instill discipline and hard work into these girls,” Gina explains. “They have really come a long way, most of them being together the last five years. We moved up to a Level 2 this year, which means elite stunting and advanced tumbling. Our girls put in a lot of work getting their back handsprings, some even nailing back tucks!” 

The team’s accomplishments are a testament to their dedication—and the support of their community, parents, and coaches. Alongside Gina, Jennifer Klein, Aly Stube, and Jenn Mullins played pivotal roles in leading the squad to success.

As for what’s next, Gina and Carly are ready to keep building on this year’s accomplishments. “Coaching this squad has been one of the most stressful, yet rewarding experiences,” Gina says. “We are so proud of these hardworking, amazing young ladies who have grown so incredibly much in every way.”

Congratulations to the Tri-City Wolverines on an unforgettable season and for making our community proud!