Girls gymnastics: D155 co-op team talented again
The Prairie Ridge District 155 co-op girls gymnastics team has enjoyed a great run of success in recent years.
Prairie Ridge finished third in the state in 2012 and second in 2013 and last year. And with a talented roster of returning gymnasts that were key contributors during last year's state run, longtime coach Lee Battaglia is confident his group will again be in the conversation come late February in Palatine (site of the state meet).
"We've been second now a few years in a row," Battaglia said. "This group has the goal to win the title, but we don't know what else is out there. We have no control of how other teams are. We will concentrate on our team and we will compete well. I feel we can realistically be in the Top 5 and that's not knowing what else is out there. These are tough kids who if they do the job we know they can, they should be right up there."
Prairie Ridge returns defending vault state champion Rachael Underwood (senior, Cary-Grove) along with junior Maddie Solka (Cary-Grove), who took 11th on the vault.
Solka finished 11th in the state in the all-around, while Underwood was 13th. Also back is senior Dylann Perrone (Cary-Grove), who took 10th in the all-around. Seniors Riley Mahoney (Cary-Grove) and Jada Berkland (Prairie Ridge) also are back and will provide even more quality all-around depth.
Key newcomers include sophomore all-arounders Nikki Baars (Cary-Grove) and Liz Sysol (Crystal Lake Central), along with freshmen April Padjen (Prairie Ridge) and Megan Adams (Crystal Lake Central).
"With these girls we work in two different seasons, the high school and club seasons," said Battaglia. "Because of that, we get started a lot later with our routines for high school. We are not planning on using our starters in the beginning. They might do one event right now. We have other girls that will help us out and are doing really well right now. The strength of this team is great. I feel really good about it. We're in good shape, but we're not in routine shape yet."
U-46 co-op team: The Elgin Area School District U-46 team features all-arounders Ashley Ryon (Bartlett, senior), Hanna Thomson (South Elgin, senior), Ashley McKee (Bartlett, sophomore), Madison Cruz (South Elgin, sophomore) and Emma Pawelkiewicz (Bartlett, sophomore).
McKee qualified for state on bars after placing third at sectionals last year.
"The team is working really well together and the girls are consistently helping each other to be the best athletes they can be," U-46 coach Tessa Aiossa said. "Being a district team, it often is challenging to create a dynamic where everyone feels comfortable and like a family. We consistently have this and that allows the team to succeed. The team truly is a family. We support one another to the fullest and we have a rare dynamic and camaraderie as a team."
Aiossa would like to see the team build on its success from a year ago.
"There always is room to improve on every event and at each practice we strive to be better," she said. "Last year we qualified as a team for sectionals for the first time in district history. We hope this year that we do the same."