Fremd pulls together, claims regional crown
It wasn't an easy night for Fremd's girls gymnastics team at the Tuesday night regional the Vikings hosted.
The scores got a bit tighter and there were a few slips and falls, but in the end the host Vikings were able to hold it together in claiming their 23rd consecutive regional title with 144.775 points in Palatine.
Fremd overcame three falls on bars and three more on beam in advancing to the Lake Park sectional at 6 p.m. Monday.
Conant (133.475 points) nipped Palatine (133.20) for second, with Maine West (115.60) taking fourth place.
"Obviously it would have been nice to be a little more consistent," said Fremd coach Elise Ference. "But tonight we showed our fight when things were not going well, and they have shown that all season."
Junior Gab Lytle (9.275) helped Fremd get off to good start by taking first on the vault as the Vikings swept the top five spots.
But Fremd's attack hit a little bit of a bump on bars before senior Emily Neal (9.275), senior Sydney Plichta (9.2), and junior Mariah Gura (8.625) patched things together by taking the top three spots.
"We wanted to come in and hit tonight," said Neal of the Vikings, who won the Mid-Suburban League title on Friday. "It was a little bit of a struggle, but it gives us something to work for."
Fremd's struggles continued a bit on beam, but freshman Abby Moran (9.425), Plichta (9.35) and senior Christine Radochonski (9.225) gave the Vikings a lift by going 1-2-3.
Moran's routine was interrupted by an equipment malfunction when a screw came out of the beam apparatus, but the freshman coolly continued her series, ending with a Gainer dismount.
"It helps just focusing on what we do," said Moran who injected a bit of energy into the Vikings attack. "We're all just really calm and we stick together."
Radochonski added a first-place finish on floor (9.525) and also took first in the all-around (35.975) to buoy the Vikings, along with junior Carly DeFilippo (9.25) taking second on the floor (9.25) and third in the all-around (34.50).
Conant senior Bridget Shanahan took fifth in the all-around (32.8) and added a fourth-place finish on floor (8.925) to pace Conant.
Junior Ali Kelly also gave the Cougars a lift by tying for fifth place on bars (8.425).
"Bars have never been my strong suit," said Kelly, who was a state qualifier on beam last season. "But I've worked on my routine and I just wanted to hit. It was a relief to come in and get it out of the way. Last year's state experience gives me a different mindset, and I know what to expect in the state series."
Sophomore MarianaVazquez-Rosa (8.625) added a sixth-place finish on beam and freshman Bailey Bloom (8.85) added a sixth-place finish on floor for Conant.
Palatine was missing senior Claudia Przystal, a key member of its attack, but freshman Christina DiGioia led a young Pirates group on Tuesday. She took fourth on the bars (8.475), with sophomore Kare Ure (32.925) adding a fourth place finish in the all-around. Senior Andrea Ori capped the nights for the Pirates by taking fifth place on floor (8.875).
"I'm starting to get used to everything and it's not such a rush anymore," said DiGioia. "I'm just going out and performing and gaining experience."
Maine West junior Marissa Gradei rolled into the regional with a bit of momentum after winning the Central Suburban North all-around title on Saturday.
The Warriors junior continued to impress on Tuesday taking second in the all-around (35.10), fourth on the beam (9.15), and tying for fifth on the bars (8.425).
"I've been sick the past two weeks so I'm just trying to get back in my game," said Gradei of her performance. "I'm definitely feeling much more comfortable."