Hersey nets MSL East victory

Hersey came into Monday morning's Mid-Suburban League girls gymnastics triangular at Palatine a bit under the weather, but the Huskies still got the job done.

Hersey hit a season-high 143.25 in last Wednesday's meet, and the Huskies continued to roll on Monday.

Senior Maggie Barton took first on the vault (9.35) and junior Mackenzie Kamysz added a first-place finish on floor exercise (9.35) in powering Hersey to victory with 138.60 points.

Host Palatine took second with 135.40, followed by Buffalo Grove (131.10).

Hersey's victory over Buffalo Grove sealed the Huskies' second consecutive MSL East Division title.

"It's really exciting," said Barton, who also added a third-place finish in the all-around (35.50). "We've had some people that were sick but we were able to pull it together today."

Hersey started off strong on the floor (35.250) with a victory from Kamysz (9.35). Then the Huskies kept things together in the final three events to cement the victory.

"We are definitely starting to gain more confidence," said Kamysz, who expect to battle it out with Conant, Palatine, and Fremd for the MSL title on Jan. 25 at Buffalo Grove. "With the big meets coming up, we are starting to really focus on our skills."

Kamysz also added a third-place finish on bars (8.85) and tied for third on beam (8.8). She placed fourth in the all-around (35.40), with senior Allie Heidrich adding a second-place finish on beam (9.05) to help power the Huskies' attack.

Barton, Heidrich, and senior Tori Schmidt have supplied the leadership for a Huskies squad that is aiming for a big finish.

"The three seniors have set the bar," said Hersey coach Shannon Barrett, "and I know they have some high goals entering the postseason."

Palatine senior Kara Ure is also starting to hit her stride. She led the Pirates on senior night with a first-place finish in the all-around (35.85).

Ure took second on vault (9.25), tied for second on floor (9.3), and also tied for third place on beam (8.8).

"It was probably one of my best meets," said Ure. "I felt really confident on everything and it was great to see the other seniors step up and do well."

Junior Abby Amato also had a pretty neat night, taking second in the all-around (35.75), adding a first-place finish on beam (9.2) and tying for second on floor (9.3).

Senior Ashley Jackson kept things rolling by taking third on vault (8.8), and junior Callee Aikman (9.2) added to a strong floor performance for the Pirates by taking fourth place.

"We added some new stuff on floor, and it paid off," said Palatine coach Terry Theobald of his team finishing the meet strong on floor (36.05). "Now we're just looking to put it together when it counts."

Buffalo Grove senior Teresa Riles struggled a bit on her first two events, but the Bison senior ended the night on strong note by taking first on the bars (9.1).

"I wanted to forget what happened on the other events and go out there and do what I usually do," said Riles who capped her bar performance with double-back dismount.

Freshman Dagmara Sobolak supported the BG effort by taking second on bars (8.95) and fourth on vault (8.7). She also finished fifth in the all-around (34.75).

at Fremd: Fremd got off to a bit a slow start this season, but the Vikings have definitely found the right gear to start off the New Year.

Fremd did not go above 140 before the Holiday break, but the Vikings came in hot after the break, hitting a season high 144.35 last Thursday.

The host Vikings continued to impress on Monday, hitting a 143.0 to capture an MSL triangular crossover in Palatine.

Rolling Meadows took an impressive second with 137.35, followed by Hoffman Estates 123.95.

"I think we were the underdogs," said Fremd coach Elise Ference-Saisi. "But we came in during break and worked extremely hard and came together as a team."

Junior Melanie Ng set the tone for the Vikings on Monday by taking first in the all-around (36.30 and beam (9.3) and adding a third-place finish on bars (9.1).

"We had to be patient early and we knew the scores would come," said Ng. "We are feeling a lot more confident now."

Junior Abby Moran added a first-place finish on floor (9.5) and a third-place finish on beam (8.55).

Freshman Sam Shirmir also was impressive in taking first on the vault (9.4), with sophomore Gianna Christodoulopoulos providing a second-place finish on beam (8.8) and tying for second on floor (9.2). Freshman Katie Vessell (9.05) came up with fourth place on floor (9.05).

"We were nervous before break and didn't think we'd get all the skills we wanted to," added Moran, "But now we are starting to show everything we like to do."

Rolling Meadows has also been on the upswing and the Mustangs continued to take a step forward on Monday.

Freshman Nicole Kane (36.05) and senior Victoria Zervos (36.95) went 2-3 in the all-around to pace Rolling Meadows' second-best score of the season.

"We're getting there," said Rolling Meadows coach Michael Costas. "Overall our skill level is right where it needs to be."

Kane continued to impress in her first season - especially on bars, where she had an eye-catching performance in winning with a 9.7. She added a third-place finish on vault (9.2) and tied for fourth on floor (9.05).

Zervos is also looking strong and had second-place finishes on vault (9.3) and bars (9.3), along with tying for second on floor (9.2).

"It's my last year and I definitely want to prove myself," said Zervos, who had her last two seasons cut short by injuries. "This is what I've been working for."

Freshman Charlee Campos (32.45) and sophomore Abigail Fuscone (31.15) led a young Hoffman Estates squad that has three freshman and three sophomores on its varsity squad.

"It's a great core group and they are focused," said Hoffman coach David Calisch. "We just want to keep building."