Stevenson tops Warren
Caitlin Pagano opened her gymnastics season slightly different from past ones Wednesday night.
The Stevenson senior competed only on balance beam. She's recovering from a dislocated elbow that she injured at last season's North Suburban Conference meet.
Pagano provided the Patriots a lift nonetheless in their season-opening meet, as she helped them chalk a 140.75 in a victory over visiting Warren, which scored a 127.5.
“It felt good to get out there,” Pagano said. “I couldn't do the same routine like last year. I hope to get those skills back. What I have been doing has come back pretty easily.”
Pagano's first week back from her injury was the first week of high school practice. She took the entire off-season off.
“The entire team has been very supportive,” Pagano said. “They understand what I'm going through.”
Pagano had two surgeries before being cleared to compete a couple of weeks ago.
“The first surgery occurred in May for a ligament reconstruction and then in September there was a second (surgery),” she explained. “That one was moving the nerve from behind elbow to the front of it. It was all because of a complication from the first surgery.
“I'm still not 100 percent at all yet. Right now, I'm trying to get my muscle strength back. My physical therapist said it's like a duck to water. Being a gymnast, it's kind of easier with the muscle memory.”
Pagano tied fourth on beam Wednesday night with Warren's Krystal Kofoed, as each earned a 8.3.
“Caitlin is a senior and you have to get out there and enjoy it,” Stevenson coach Judy Harwood said. “Whatever the contribution can be, whether it's competing, coaching kids or cheering people on, that's what it's going to be for her right now.”
Stevenson's Alison Castriano swept all four events. She scored a 8.95 on beam, 9.35 on vault, 8.85 on bars and 9.1 on floor, giving her a 36.25 all-around total.
“It's been rough training and getting ready for the season,” said Castriano, who had arthroscopic knee surgery after last year's state meet. “It was a little nerve-racking. It felt like we were all a little shaky. We just need a little more confidence.”
Stevenson's Theresa Wojton was second in the all-around (36.15) followed by teammate Carlie Dobkin (34.95). Wojton also chalked up second on beam (8.85) ahead of Dobkin (8.6). Dobkin (9.15) took second on vault ahead of Wojton (9.05).
Stevenson's Riley Trebilco (9.05) claimed second ahead of Wojton (8.85) on floor. Dobkin also finished third on bars (8.5).
Warren's Kelsey Stoecker posted a second-place finish on bars (8.85).
“Hopefully we got a lot of our jitters out,” Warren coach Christy Worth said. “That's the main thing you look at in a first meet. We've got a lot of girls on varsity moving up from JV last year.”