Prospect's Gonzalez makes all-around gains at Palatine

While Prospect's Olivia Gonzalez certainly got noticed as a freshman gymnast, this year the Knights sophomore is solidifying her position as a first-rate competitor.

Gonzalez came back from a nasty fall on bars to take first in the all-around (36.6) in leading Prospect to the 27th annual Palatine Invite title with 140.875 points on Saturday.

Glenbrook South took second with 139.55 points, followed by host Palatine (135.45 points), U-46 girls co-op (127.75 points) and York (120.75 points) in the eight team field.

Gonzalez showed she had talent as a freshman by qualifying for the state meet on floor and vault, and she's only strengthened her performance since. She opened Saturday's meet by taking third on vault (9.4), missed on an exchange on the bars but still took third (8.9), followed it up with a solid beam (8.7) and concluded her day by taking first on the floor (9.6) with a dazzling routine as the Knights won their third consecutive Palatine Invite title.

"She opened a few eyes her freshman year," said Prospect coach Randy Smith of Gonzalez's performance. "This year she is looking to build on that. She doesn't get rattled and she doesn't get nervous. Today she was tough."

Gonzalez showed that toughness on Saturday, grinding out the final two events after her fall on bars.

"I was going to push aside the pain and do it for my team," said Gonzalez who had been dealing with back issues, with the fall adding to her discomfort.

Gonzalez hit a 9.55 on the floor on Wednesday night, and her performance on Saturday shows that she is the real deal.

"It's one of my favorite events, I'm able to bring out my dance," said Gonzalez.

Senior Maddie Larock was dependable as usual and combined with Gonzalez to give the Knights a huge lift. Larock took second in the all-around (36.525), added a pair of first on the vault (9.55) and bars (9.6) and finished the day by taking second on the floor (9.175).

Prospect qualified for its first state appearance last season, and with Larock and Gonzalez providing a 1-2 punch the Knights once again will be in the hunt for a state berth.

"It's not a given," said Larock. "But everyone knows what it took to get there last year and we know what we have to do."

Junior Megan Donner gave the Knights a boost by taking sixth on the beam (8.625), with senior Maddie Boldt adding a sixth-place finish on bars (8.75).

Katie Wahl (34.875) and Bebe Haramaras (34.75) went 4-5 in the all-around to help Glenbrook South secure second place.

The Titans got off to a slow start on the beam, but Kaci Castinos fifth place finish on floor (9.0) helped to ignite their attack that continued with a strong vault with Wahl (9.45), Haramaras (9.3), and Julia Stadler (9.25) going 2-4-5.

"It's our favorite event," said Castinos of the Titans performance on vault. "We bring a lot of energy to it."

Glenbrook South Hannah Hartley has been slowed by injury this season but added to the Titan attack by taking second on the bars (9.3).

Senior Andrea Ori (9.2) and sophomore Kara Ure (9.15) pushed Palatine to a quick start on vault going 6-8, but the Pirates hit a few bumps on the bars and beam before Ure (9.075) and Ori (8.925) closed strong on floor, going 4-6.

Ure has stepped up for the Pirates and she definitely showed it on the floor, ending the night on a high note.

"I'm definitely a lot more comfortable this season, I feel closer to the team," said Ure who finished third in the all-around (35.0). "After struggling on the bars and beam we just wanted to be more positive on the floor and do the best we could."

Senior Claudia Przystal also gave the Pirates a boost taking fifth on the beam (8.675).

Naperville North senior Michaela Robert recovered from a so-so vault (7.7) to take first on the beam (8.975).

Robert took third at the state meet on the bars last season, and the senior offered a glimpse of her skills on Saturday by adding a third-place finish on floor (9.1) and a fourth-place finish on bars (8.85).

"This meet did not go quite like I expected," said Robert who won the all-around title at Palatine Invite last year. "I was happy to finish well on beam. This year I feel more confident with my routines and making it to the finals at state last year makes it a little easier this year."

Wheeling junior Meghan Aguayo continued her comeback from a back injury that wiped out her summer training.

Aguayo qualified to the state meet last season on the floor and is starting to shake off the rust this season. On Saturday the Wildcats junior took another step forward by taking third on the beam (8.825) and seventh on the floor (8.85).

"I felt really 'on' today," said Aguayo, "Each meet is getting better, and the more practice I get the better I'll perform."

Ashley McKee finished 10th in the all-around (33.75) to lead U-46 girls co-op.

Rachel Weis anchored Libertyville attack with a solid performance on floor (8.525).

• Palatine collected donations for Olivia Schrader, the daughter of Buffalo Grove coach and former Palatine gymnast Stephanie Schrader. Olivia was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis and has responded tremendously to treatments and has made great improvements in her overall health.

Palatine was able to raise over 300 dollars for the friends and family of Olivia, who have formed a team to walk in the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Great Strides Walk on May 31 in Barrington.

Donations can still be made online by going to cff.org, Great Strides. Search for 'A Cure for Olivia' or 'Stephanie Schrader' to donate on behalf of Olivia.

at Addison Trail:

Buffalo Grove's Diandra Duenser continued to impress at the Winter Tumberland Invite hosted by Addison Trail.

Duenser took second in the all-around 35.65 to power the Bison to a fourth-place finish with 130.275 points.

Duenser took first on the beam (8.85), second on vault (9.2), fifth on the bars (8.6) and sixth on the floor (9.0) in taking another step forward on Saturday.

"She continues to get better and has become an all-around threat this season," said Buffalo Grove coach Stephanie Schrader of her standout junior.

Mundelein senior McKenzie Kehr took first in the all-around (35.975) to power the Mustangs to the title with 136.85 points.

Kehr, who finished seventh on the beam at last years state meet, also took first on the vault (9.375), bars (9.05), and floor (9.55) in a commanding performance.

Emily Tom took third in the all-around (35.25) in helping Downers Grove South to a second place finish with 136.175 points. Tom also took second on the bars (9.0) and added a pair of third place finishes on the vault (9.15) and floor (9.35).

Kennedy O'Neill took second on the beam (8.45) in helping host Addison Trail take third place with 131.45 points.