'She is our sister': Central Illinois rallies around Dunlap soccer player battling cancer

Tessa Sutton showed her fighting spirit last year when the Dunlap soccer player was diagnosed with cancer in late May, just as the high school season was nearing a finish.

The 16-year-old sophomore is tapping into that determination yet again.

Sutton missed the end of last season, but was attempting to get back on the field in March when she finished treatment. She was back in school this year, attending practices and even had hopes of playing in a game for the Eagles, who are 14-2-2 as the regular season winds down.

But a few weeks ago, Sutton's cancer was rediscovered and she continues to battle a malignant chest wall tumor. She is recovering from surgery and continues to receive treatment from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis and in Peoria.

#TeamTessa is still strong

Tessa's parents, Rich and Michelle Sutton, have been overwhelmed by all of the support the community has shown.

“It has been incredible,” Michelle Sutton said. “Right after she was rediagnosed, the Washington girls soccer team gave her a card with gift cards in it and they all signed it.”

Vote for Tessa: Sutton is nominated for athlete of the week

But the outpouring of love and support doesn’t stop there. #TeamTessa has been circulating on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, where teams around Illinois continue to write positive encouragement for Sutton.

In an April 25 game between Notre Dame and Richwoods, fans helped donate as concession stand money was given to the Sutton family. Other donation jars were available for the Dunlap/Peoria St. Jude runs.

“Every single game that Dunlap goes to I feel like someone is doing something, whether we are there or not. We have other parents who reach out and let us know what’s going on,” Michelle said. “(Tessa) knows a lot of the girls from other teams because of club soccer, but there are teams like Streator, Normal West and Normal Community that we don’t know anyone from and they’ll send us texts and messages with signs up for Tessa.”

Normal West showed their support for Tessa by praying with the Dunlap team at midfield following the Eagles’ 3-1 win over the Wildcats in early April. As the season continues to move along, teams continue to show that they are all in Tessa’s corner.

“We are blown away by this and would have never expected it,” Michelle said. “(Tessa) has several girls on the Dunlap team she is extremely close with who reach out to her, and girls from her club soccer team too.”

'She is our sister'

Dunlap coach Peter Cenek and his team are preparing for the postseason, led by captains Sammi Cenek and Lily Sutter. They have Tessa in mind every game.

“Just about every team we have played this year has honored her in some type of way. Whether they wear a specific color patch or hair band, and most teams will make her signs,” the coach said. “It has been unbelievable with the level it's being taken to. It has blown us away as a program, and I know it has blown the Suttons away with all of the support across town.”

‘We're playing for Tessa': Dunlap soccer draws strength from teammate's battle with cancer

The Dunlap girls soccer team has a team ritual includes wooden signs that read “Play for Tessa." One is located by the locker room door that each coach and player touch before exiting. The team takes another “Play for Tessa” sign to away games. Players and coaches tap it before running onto the field.

“It is a great way to remind us of her, and remember what we are playing for,” Cenek said. “I preach a lot to the girls that this is a family, and what has happened with Tessa over the last year has made us a family.

"She is our sister.”

Cenek described Tessa as a “quiet leader” and highly skilled “true teammate,” who just loves being a part of the team. Cenek said the team quickly respected Sutton when she joined the team as a freshman because she did all of the small things that helped them win games.

“The whole diagnosis was very difficult for her, because she doesn’t like being in the spotlight. It was hard for her to approach, but I think she has gotten a lot better with it now,” added Cenek. “She is still that quiet leader, and she has some really funny jokes that will blow you away.”

John Komosa can be reached at jkomsports@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jkom91.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Peoria soccer supports Dunlap's Tessa Sutton in battle with cancer