Girls gymnastics: Mahoney injury tough loss for Prairie Ridge co-op
State runner-up Prairie Ridge (a co-op team comprised of all the District 155 schools) heads into the girls gymnastics postseason looking to overcome a major loss to the team.
Cary-Grove senior Riley Mahoney, one of the team's top all-rounders, is out for the season after suffering a knee injury in early January. Mahoney suffered an injury to the other knee last year.
"Her injury was devastating," said coach Lee Battaglia. "It was a huge loss."
On the positive side, Battaglia said sophomore all-rounder Nikki Baers (Cary-Grove) has picked up the pace and has hit 37 in the all-around scoring, while senior Rachael Underwood (Cary-Grove), the defending vault state champion, has gone 38.5.
"It's tough without Riley," said Battaglia. "We had two 38 all-rounders with her and we're sitting pretty good. Riley had started off strong for us and was looking very good. What happened to her was very unfortunate. We are trying to bounce back."
Battaglia added the team hit a 150 score in a meet without Mahoney.
"They have the capability," the coach said. "Nikki has gone 37 this year and had a 37.35 in her last meet. She's definitely capable. She has a possibility of a low 38."
Battaglia added senior Jada Berkland (Prairie Ridge) has been another key cog for the team. "Jada has been phenomenal going 9.4 or 9.5 on floor, vault and beam," he said. "She's been very steady for us the whole year. She's one we can count on for consistency."
Cary-Grove senior Dylann Perrone, 10th in the state in all-around last year, also greatly helps the team in three events, as does Cary-Grove junior Maddie Solka, who was 11th on vault and 11th in the all-around at state last year.
"Someone needs to step up for us," said Battaglia. "Nikki is one who has done a great job and Maddie is another key for us and so are girls like Dylann and Jada."
Sophomore Liz Sysol (Crystal Lake Central) rounds out the six-girl group that will compete in the postseason.
"The kids have to go out there and hit their routines. That's the key to success," said Battaglia. "If we have five kids on an event, we have to hit five routines. It's theirs to take if they hit their events. They have jobs to do and they have to perform. This is the year we have been looking forward to with the seniors we have. There's a little more pressure now. Hopefully we can get the job done."
Battaglia said Underwood has earned a full-ride scholarship to Western Michigan, while Mahoney is headed to the University of Illinois-Chicago.
Prairie Ridge competes in the Hersey regional next Thursday with Fenton, Hersey, Maine East and Maine South.
U-46 co-op update: The U-46 co-op team recently took second at both the varsity and junior-varsity levels at the Maine West invitational. The varsity squad won the beam competition there.
U-46 also took fourth at the Niles West invitational and recently scored a 132.35 against Batavia.
"We have a developing varsity team," said U-46 coach Tessa Aiossa.
Aiossa has been pleased with the improvements Bartlett sophomores Nykia Wetterman and Emma Pawelkiewicz have made.
"I have seen major changes in Nykia on beam and Emma has made major changes to her routines and has greatly improved on beam and bars."
As a whole, Aiossa likes where her squad is headed with the postseason on the horizon.
"We are improving everyday and the girls' skills and routines are quickly enhancing," she said. "Their routines are getting cleaner, they are performing more challenging skills and are perfecting these routines. The girls had a rough start with scores and we had a few injuries that limited the ability to compete on certain events. Everyone is feeling much better and we are anxious to see how our conference meet goes."
Beyond gymnastics skills, Aiossa is proud of the character and camaraderie her girls show.
"I firmly believe I am a fortunate coach because I have such a wonderful group of girls," she said. "They embody the dynamic of a family and I think that is what makes us a unique team. Because we have team members from every U-46 high school, the daily issues other teams might face, we don't have. For the past four years, I have consistently had this dynamic with each team and I find this not only allows for a supportive environment, but also allows the girls to have fun. They have frequent team bonding activities and truly enjoy working with each other. There isn't a practice or meet that goes by that they do not make me laugh or remind me what is truly important in any sport - support, effort and sportsmanship. They are an outstanding group of young women and I am lucky to have had such a great team for so many years."
U-46 qualified for sectionals as a team for the first time last season and has its eye on doing so again.
"My outlook is positive," said Aiossa. "I look forward to seeing the changes that have been made to each routine and how the girls are able to succeed at conference, regionals and potentially sectionals. Last year was a major accomplishment for the team and of course I would love for that to happen again for them. I know how much talent is on the team. They need to believe that and last year I think they finally saw what I've seen daily. It was an incredible feeling and I know the team would love to accomplish that again. This has been their goal from the start. While it was a tough start to the season for us, I am confident they are able to accomplish this."
U-46 will head to the Geneva regional next Wednesday. That field includes Addison Trail, Leyden, Geneva and individuals from Moline and Rock Island Alleman.
Jacobs update: The Golden Eagles, who do not have an official team, will have Allison Riedel and Molly Meehan competing in the IHSA state series. The duo competes at the Barrington regional next Wednesday.