Carmel Catholic takes third, still harbors state hopes

The first of the four girls gymnastics sectional meets this week, at Stevenson on Monday, was expected to be a close one.

Three teams had a realistic chance to win and earn an automatic advancement to next week's state finals.

Carmel Catholic knew based on scores throughout the season and from last week's regionals that the competition would be tight, leaving the top teams to battle it out to the meet's end.

And indeed the margin turned out to be very close - but not completely to Carmel's liking.

First and third place were separated by a mere .65, with Glenbrook South winning at 145.45, New Trier in second at 145.275 and Carmel in third at 144.8.

Glenbrook South claims the coveted automatic state berth to Palatine, while New Trier and Carmel still could advance with at-large berths. Three more sectionals will take place over the next three days - at Fremd (Tuesday), Glenbard North (Wednesday) and Oswego (Thursday) - before the Corsairs know whether they've come up with one of the four top scores among teams who did not win a sectional.

"Scores are always tighter at sectionals, and we always expect that," Carmel coach Nicole Stroup said. "We always talk to the girls about their performance, and really, what their training is there to do. I think they had some jitters. Hopefully we can make it through to state and can come in a little stronger."

The Corsairs had a bit of a slow start on the beam with a 34.7, but Sammie Lococo still picked the team score up with the top routine of a 9.425. That seemed to get Carmel going the rest of the way as the Corsairs scored well the other events - floor (36.725), vault (37.355) and bars (36.025).

"The girls had to pick things up after (beam), which they did," Stroup said. "Having the rough start like they did and the way they came back, I'm proud of that. Sammie Lococo was fifth (gymnast) on beam, and she was the one that picked things up for the team. She's the one that carried the team through. She just had an exciting night."

Lococo went on to win the all-around with a 37.525. She also landed in the top spot on floor (9.55) and placed second on vault (9.45).

"The all-around was the result of doing it for the team," Lococo said. "I just wanted to get us back into the zone (on beam), then carry us through the rest of the meet. I figured that would help us turn things around. We definitely came back and did the best that we could and gave it our all."

Carmel's Kelly Gustafson qualified individually in a tie for fifth on vault with Jenna Hartley of Glenbrook South and Emma Jane Rohrer of New Trier (9.35). Gustafson also placed fourth on floor (9.1), and teammate Isabella Kropiweic took fourth on bars (9.2).

Taylor Shanahan of Mundelein reached state by taking fifth in the all-around (36.4). She also qualified third on vault (9.4), and fifth on bars (9.125).

"It's really a great feeling even though it wasn't one of my best meets," Shanahan said. "I couldn't have done it without the support of my team. They all really handled the nerves really well and have the talent they need. I'm just bummed that they won't be coming down with me. They do have a lot in store for them in the next couple of years."

Glenbrook South's Hannah Hartley was the runner-up in the all-around (37.4). She landed first on vault (9.725), posted the top score on bars (9.5) and took third on beam (9.4).