Girls gymnastics: Another all-around success for Diab, Glenbard West at Naperville North

Glenbard West junior Maddie Diab owns the Naperville North Invite.

Diab won all four events in the Huskies' girls gymnastics invitational on Saturday, although she had to share top honors on bars with teammate Taylor Ramirez as the Hilltoppers continued to impress.

Glenbard West won decisively with 147.15 points, easily ahead of runner-up Glenbard East's 141.2.

"Once we get to this meet is when we start hitting more and getting more consistent," Diab said. "All of our upgrades are mostly in by now, and it's right after break so we enjoy some time off and come into this meet and it gets us going the rest of the way."

Diab's been going well all season - as well as throughout her entire tenure as a Hilltopper - as she won the all-around title for the second straight season while upping her total of event titles at the Naperville Invite to 8, including 3 consecutive vault championships.

"We hit most of our routines which is what we look for, especially with the upgrades we put in," she said. "It was just a good overall meet and we're scoring pretty consistently like we want to now."

There's no denying that the Hilltoppers, winners of three straight Naperville Invites, are serious contenders to bring home a state trophy in February. They've now scored a 146.65 or better in five meets, and only Glenbrook South has surpassed a 146.65 (and the Titans accomplished the feat just once, in early December).

"We had a slow start on beam and we didn't have Maia Lee either, and she's one of our best beam and bar kids," Hilltoppers coach Carlos Fuentes said. "So we should be good."

They did have junior Taylor Ramirez in action. Although competing in her first Naperville North Invite, she put up big numbers, taking second in the all-around.

"It was really nice to come back from having a break and still be able to do really well," she said. "I think it showed that we're a really strong team."

Freshman Anna Diab placed third in the all-around as the Hilltoppers swept the top three places, while Katherine Hoban contributed in multiple events and Abby Myers came up big on floor.

"Something I've come to really love about this team is that even when you're having an off day, there's someone who can pick up the slack," Ramirez said. "I haven't been feeling well lately, but my team has stepped up when it needed to so it's been a fun environment."

The Rams' strong performance may have been overlooked because of Glenbard West's dominance.

Freshman Kali Karthesier took fourth in the all-around with a 36.575 while the Rams were deep, getting contributions from a handful of gymnasts including Kelsey Donovan, Krasimira Ganeva and Rebecca Honig.

"We've been around this score now, but I feel we can get higher if we work a little bit harder, especially on beam," Karthesier said. "We're actually still on break but we've been having 2½-hour practices Monday through Friday so it's been just like we were in school and going to practice, and I felt fine today."

Hinsdale Central (139.25), Palatine (137.275) and Barrington (133.9) rounded out the top five finishers.

Kiara Harrast placed fourth on bars and beam to lead the Red Devils, Kristen Ure was fifth on beam and teammate Alyssa Eckels was sixth on floor for the Pirates. Sarah Ruesch took third on vault for the Fillies.

"We're still on break - I mean, we're not in meet mood at all right now," Palatine coach Terry Theobald said. "Hopefully we'll be there when it counts."

Downers Grove North's Brooke Stocki took fifth on bars to help the Trojans take sixth, and Hersey's Mackenzie Kamysz took third on beam and floor and was fifth in the all-around with a 35.275 for the seventh-place finishers.

York (130.125), Naperville Central (126.9), Neuqua Valley (126.85) and the host Huskies (125.525) were some of the others in the 12-team field.

Lailah Waddel (32.6) led the Dukes, Lexi Swanson (31.925) paced the Redhawks, Olivia Nelson (32.65) helped the Wildcats and Kelsey Sumser (33.25), who took second on vault, led Naperville North in the all-around.