Carmel takes charge
Winning the all-around title came down to tenths, even hundredths of points, on Saturday night at the girls gymnastics high school state meet in Palatine.
The team picture, meanwhile, is a little more clear-cut. Carmel Catholic has virtually locked down its third straight state championship with 150.925 after the preliminaries. Stevenson has the second spot at 148.925, followed by Prairie Ridge in third 148.05.
In the all-around, Carmel’s Kristin Mirski and Lauren Feely, along with Stevenson’s Ali Castriano, all were taking aim at the top all-around spot approaching their last events.
But Alyssa Lopez of DeKalb posted a 9.6 on floor to capture top honors with a 38.45.
Mirski was a step back with a 38.4, Castriano was fourth (38.05) and Feely fifth (37.925)
“I had no clue,” said Mirski, who had a 9.45 on her last event, which was uneven bars. “But I had one of my best meets. It was a great accomplishment going, 4-for-4.
“I never had this feeling, going to state and winning like this. It’s just amazing to go out there, and I did everything. Having team titles and getting this (medal), I’m not sure what it means but it’s so great doing this in my senior year.”
Mirski also qualified for today’s finals in three other events — vault (9.80), floor (9.725) and beam (9.425).
Feely made it through in three events, with top scores on vault (9.85) and beam (9.55), plus another chance to compete on floor (9.65).
“It’s a good feeling, because most people don’t get here,” said Feely, who was the state runner-up last year and reached the top five for two straight years. “I did another Yurchenko full vault and hit it pretty good, but I want to do better in the finals.”
Castriano had her best effort in a state meet, advancing to finals in all four events: vault (9.725), floor (9.575), beam (9.425) and bars (9.325).
“That was my goal, to be in the top 5,”said Castriano, who only recently overcame a recent bout with bronchitis. “It’s been a struggle to get here. At least I’m injury free and my body feels good.”
Alli Tran of Vernon Hills missed the medal stand in the all-around, finishing 7th (37.75). But she will compete this evening on the vault (9.675) and bars (9.5).
“I thought bars was awesome and vault was just like I did at the (NSC) conference meet,” Tran said. “I tried to take the pressure of the meet and put it into positive energy.”
Others gymnasts who qualified for Saturday’s action include Carmel’s Sarah-Cohen Smith on vault (9.75), and her teammates Anna Brandmeier on bars (9.375) and Jen Zeller on floor (9.525).
Mundelein had its first-ever girls gymnast reach the finals as Lisa Wajswol advanced on beam (9.325).
“I was just determined to make it to the state finals,” said Wajswol. “I had it sticking in my mind every time I got up on that beam.”
Stevenson had a strong effort from its entire team, going 20-for-20 in all four events.
“It was much more important for us to do that than to get into second place or get a high score,” Stevenson coach Judy Harwood said. “It was much more satisfying to the girls and for me. It was a great goal.”
Carmel will be hard-pressed to reach the state team scoring mark of 152.775 set by Stevenson in 2004.
“They put themselves into a great position, but I believe their nerves got to the best of them,” Carmel coach Sarah Doyle. “Our team should not worry about the team thing, and have fun for themselves, bring along some glory to their school with the individual events.”
The finals are scheduled to begin 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Palatine High School.