Girls gymnastics: Prairie Ridge in top form at Hersey
The Prairie Ridge co-op girls gymnastic program is on a pretty special ride.
The Wolves have won three consecutive state titles and have also earned six consecutive state trophies - and they are showing no signs of slowing down,
Prairie Ridge swept the top four all-around spots in rolling to the Hersey regional title with a season-high 151.3 in Arlington Heights on Monday.
"It's not where you start, but it's where you finish," said Prairie Ridge coach Lee Battaglia of his team's effort. "But right now we are on an all-time high."
A quartet of juniors led the way, with Clancy Raupp taking first in the all-around with a 37.90. She was followed by Maddy Kim (37.87), who took second in the all-around, with Ciara Ryan and Kira Karlblom tying for third by hitting 37.75.
"This year we are all working hard and doing our part," said Raupp, who won beam (9.575), took second on floor (9.475), fourth on vault (9.525) and fifth on bars (9.325). "It's spread evenly throughout team and we are getting more and more comfortable."
Kim added a victory on bars (9.6) and floor (9.525) and third-place finishes on vault (9.575) and beam (9.175).
Ryan, who attends Crystal Lake South, took first on vault (9.775), second on bars (9.55), tied for third on floor (9.425) and fourth on beam (9.0).
Karlblom kept thing rolling by taking second on both vault (9.6) and beam (9.25) and added a third-place finish on bars (9.5). Senior Katarina Schaffer (9.425) tied for third on floor and junior Macie Woodlock tied for fifth on beam (8.65).
"We knew what we had to do and we went out and hit our routines," said Raupp of her team's big opening statement. "Obviously we want to keep that streak alive, so we are working hard."
Prairie Ridge advances to the Hoffman Estates sectional on Feb. 7 at 6 p.m.
Buffalo Grove took second with 136.60 points, followed by host Hersey (132.50), Elk Grove (129.70), and Fenton (113.625).
Sophomore Dagmara Sobolak paced Buffalo Grove by taking sixth in the all-around (35.50). The Bison sophomore tied for fifth on the beam (8.65), took sixth on bars (9.0), added a seventh-place finish on floor (9.1) and finished eighth on vault (8.75).
"It was one of my best meets of the season," said Sobolak who was slowed in the beginning of the season due to a concussion. "I have been improving every meet and it just feels good to hit."
Mackenzie Kamysz also had pretty sweet night for host Hersey. The Huskies senior took fifth in the all-around (36.40). She started her night with a fifth-place finish on vault (9.25) and kept things going with a fourth-place finish on bars (9.375).
Kamysz had a rough beam with two falls, but bounced back big on the floor by tying for third place (9.425).
"I was upset after beam, but I put all my anger on the floor," said Kamysz. "I just really wanted to make up for it on floor, and it was nice to finish on a big note."
Junior Anna Sprenger (8.65) gave Elk Grove a lift by tying for fifth on beam.
"They competed much better than the past couple meets," said Elk Grove coach Amy Rivera of her team's performance. "I was real happy with how the girls did."