Vernon Hills’ Tran takes next step

Alli Tran had unfinished business to care of at Lake Forest on Saturday . Vernon Hills’ star gymnast had never won a regional championship.

She changed that by posting a winning 37.15 in the all-around.

“I’ve just been consistent with my skills, and I’m ready to move on and compete at sectionals,” Tran said. “I’m just taking the next step to state.”

Tran also grabbed top honors on the uneven bars with a 9.25. She tied for second with Lake Forest’s Katherine McKeon on vault (9.40) and placed third on the floor exercise (9.45).

Tran’s teammate Hannah McGreevy captured the top spot on floor with a 9.575. The freshman was third on bars (9.325) and fourth in the all-around (36.375).

“I’m not as worried on floor as the other events,” McGreevy said. “On floor, I just want to go out and feel like I’m having a lot of fun. I was able to hit my double back on my first pass. It’s what I always focus on in my routine.”

Lake Forest won the championship with a 143.45. Deerfield placed second with 134.175, and Vernon finished third (133.95).

Teams advancing to Thursday’s Stevenson sectional are New Trier (145.3), Carmel Catholic (144.85), Lake Forest 143.45 and Stevenson (140.175). At-large teams include Libertyville (138.75) and Warren (134.85).

The cutoff scores for gymnasts reaching the sectional are 8.575 (vault), 7.925 (bars), 8.375 (beam), 8.475 (floor) and 32.725 (all-around).