Lake Park misses magic number

The 140 club is an exclusive one when it comes to girls high school gymnastics.

It’s a number that perennial powers reach with regularity. It’s one that other solid programs might only reach once or twice over several years. For many other teams, it’s a number that’s always been well out of reach.

Lake Park was looking to reach 140 during Monday’s triangular meet in Roselle.

The Lancers fell short, but their 138.4 was more than enough to defeat Elk Grove (124.4) and Glenbard South (110.4).

“We did everything we needed to do tonight to hit the 140 with the girls we had,” Lake Park coach Jake Lukein said. “Our score was a little low on beam. If you look at our beam results compared to our other events, you can see we could’ve had a good three points there.”

Although they only posted a 31.45 on beam they were dominant on vault with a 36.9. Kayla Goodwin tied Elk Grove’s Amelia Rafferty for top honors with a 9.4. Jessie-Lee Vanden Eykel followed with a 9.3 and Annalise Donati had a 9.25.

The Lancers made a similar statement on floor, where they swept the top three places. Sofia Tobon and Jessica Lewis tied for top honors with a 9.2 and Donati contributed an 8.85.

“Our goal is still 140, and I’m pretty sure we’ll get there this year,” Tobon said. “We’ve all got our skills so now we just need to clean up our routines.”

Obviously, beam appears to need the most polishing.

“I think we’re all doing well on especially floor,” Lewis said. “We’re all just trying to work hard in the gym and get back a few of the skills that we lost from last year.”

Donati was the lone all-arounder for the Lancers, placing second overall with a 34.55.

“My floor and vault were both pretty good,” she said. “I was happy with my bars because I stuck my routine, but some of my skills didn’t count. Beam was good, but I fell so I was upset about that.”

Competing on a Monday night in the midst of finals certainly had the Lancers a bit preoccupied, although it didn’t appear to affect them. Still, the girls departed at around 9 p.m. and many had a late night of studying to do, including Donati, who had already made arrangements for a half-dozen wings and a pizza to keep her company.

“It’s pretty stressful with finals now and then Christmas coming up,” she said. “A break will be nice.”

While on the subject of breaks, Glenbard South’s Kate Rumel and Stephanie Mondrogon both were in action for the Raiders, after missing some time, including Saturday’s Illinois Best.

Rumel took fourth in the all-around with a 32.55 after missing nearly two weeks with an illness.

“I was a little nervous but nerves and adrenalin are a good thing and they helped me get through today,” Rumel said. “It was good to be back but there’s plenty of room for improvement.”

Mondrogon took third on beam with an 8.35. Plagued with an injury, she was just happy to be back.

“I was really happy to be back out there with my team,” she said. “It’s pretty tough when you’re out and there’s nothing you can really do.”

Raffety won beam, vault and bars to lead Elk Grove. She took home the all-around as well with a 35.85.