The annual Powder Puff game puts Mundy girls’ competitive spirit in action, rallying up the crowds for Homecoming week. With Powder Puff numbers growing year after year, and girls flag football becoming a rising sport nationwide, MHS decided to hop on the trend.
So how is Mundelein making it happen?
AP Pre Calc teacher and Powder Puff coach, Julie Ellingsen explained, “It’s not an official sport yet. The goal is for it to be next year. But oh it’s just so much fun. We have over 80 girls at practices at practices which is a big number. The involvement and excitement towards it is really special,” she said.
Students’ excitement for the future of flag is contagious. “I had a lot of fun doing Powder Puff last year and I was always interested in flag football and was very excited to hear about it,” said Junior Yael Pikus. Pikus has had a great powderpuff season and is forming new connections. “My favorite part so far is getting to know new girls in my grade and having fun at practice,” claimed Pikus. The biggest challenge for her was adapting to a new sport and learning all of the plays.
Powderpuff provides not only valuable experience, but empowerment for the players. “I think it’s a huge movement for women’s sports and I think giving women athletes here at Mundelein a chance to do something that’s much bigger than just a high school sport is something I want to be a part of,” Ellingsen commented.
With so much success in Powder Puff already, the possibilities for a full season of flag football next year are promising and growing. “It’s about the connection and to see girls being connected through this sport is something that I really want to be a part of,” said Ellingsen, “I’m just excited for them to have a good time.”
Pikus added, “It provides an amazing new experience and a chance to try a new sport you might enjoy. And to say you’re playing flag football as a girl, that’s pretty cool.”
The transition from just one Powder Puff game a year to a whole season of the sport opens new doors for girls at Mundelein. The U.S. as a whole has seen increasing numbers in womens’ athletic achievements, and flag football has expanded that pathway. Bringing in girls flag football is Mundelein’s contribution to the monumental steps taking place. Girls flag football will officially be added to the list of all of the extracurriculars MHS students can be a part of in 2025.
