Girls gymnastics: State meet scouting, Northwest

Girls gymnastics: State meet scouting

Where: Palatine High School

When: Session I at 2 p.m. Friday (all-around final, individual event preliminaries team competition). Session II at 2 p.m. Saturday (individual event finals and finals in team competition).

Sectional champions: Glenbard West (149.425), Maine South (147.425), Glenbrook South (146.225), Lincoln-Way co-op (143.275)

At-large team qualifiers: Prairie Ridge co-op (147.325), New Trier (146.15), Carmel (145.60), Wheaton Warrenville co-op (145.20).

Team talk: Glenbard West enters on a high note, having recorded the highest qualifying score in winning the Lake Park sectional. The Hilltoppers advanced to the state meet for the seventh time and will be seeking their first state trophy. Junior Maddie Diab secured the top all-around mark (38.625) at sectionals and will pace a Hilltoppers attack that will challenge for a state title. Three-time defending state champion Prairie Ridge co-op will offer a stiff challenge. The Wolves had a bit of an off night in finishing second at the Hoffman Estates sectional to Maine South but should be in the running for a fourth consecutive state title. Prairie Ridge co-op hit a school-record 151.3 (the top mark in state this season) in winning the Hersey regional. Junior Kira Karlblom, junior Clancy Raupp, junior Maddy Kim and junior Ciara Ryan will pace Prairie Ridge. Junior Caleigh Pistorius won the all-around title at the Hoffman Estates sectional in powering Maine South to its first sectional title. The Hawks will also be in the running for state trophy. Glenbrook South, New Trier, Carmel, Wheaton Warrenville co-op and Lincoln-Way co-op will be in a competitive field. The girls gymnastics state series started in 1977 and this marks the first time the Mid-Suburban League has not advanced a team to the state finals.

Individually, Maddie Diab will be the one to watch. Diab won the all-around state title as a freshman and tied for third in the all-around last season. The Hilltoppers junior is poised for another big finish this season as she enters the state meet with top sectional marks in the all-around, bars (9.6), beam (9.675), and floor (9.65). DeKalb/Sycamore co-op junior Madison Hickey has the second-highest sectional score in the all-around (38.175) and recorded the top sectional mark on vault (9.875). Local focus

Fremd senior Abby Moran, senior Melanie Ng, junior Gianna Christodoulopoulos and senior Annika Waller: Moran and Ng powered the Vikings attack all season, so it was no surprise that both qualified to their second consecutive state meet. Moran made it to Saturday's state finals last season, securing a tenth-place finish on beam, and she has continued her momentum this season. The Vikings senior qualified with the second-best sectional mark on beam (9.575) and also qualified on floor. Ng, who won the MSL all-around title, continued to impress during the state series and qualified on both the bars and beam. "Both of them qualified for state last season and that experience has helped them this season," said Fremd coach Kacey Kronforst. "Abby really thrives in the postseason, and Mel has found her groove this season." Christodoulopoulos also has taken big strides this season. The Vikings junior earned a state berth in the all-around and on bars. She has had a breakout season and will be looking to continue her success this weekend. "She has more fight in her this year and has built more confidence," Kronforst added. Waller was a bit of a surprise. The senior has been steady on bars all season but hit it big in qualifying to state on bars at the Hoffman sectional. "She joined our team two weeks into the season and since her first meet she has added about 3 points to her bar score, which is just incredible," Kronforst said.

Conant sophomore Kennedy O'Connor: Last year, O'Connor played a supporting role in the Cougars' drive to their first state qualification in 10 years. This year, the Cougars' sophomore took over a leading role. O'Connor had a strong sectional, qualifying in the all-around and beam. "The biggest difference this year from last year is Kennedy's leadership," said Conant coach Anthony Avella. "I don't think she felt comfortable last year stepping into a leadership position, but this year she has done a great job leading by example."

Schaumburg senior Mikayla Vogt: Vogt qualified for state as a freshman but injuries have slowed down the Saxons senior the past two seasons. She started the season with a fracture in her back but ended the season strong by qualifying for state on vault and floor. "Her perseverance and ability to overcome challenges and injuries is demonstrated through her gymnastics," said Schaumburg coach Amber Mirski. "She has exactly what it takes to be on the podium this weekend."

Hersey senior Mackenzie Kamysz: Kamysz has been a picture of consistency during her run at Hersey, qualifying for the state meet each of her four seasons. She took over the leadership reigns of a young team this season and continued to score big. Kamysz secured her spot at state by tying for first on floor at the Hoffman Estates sectional. "Mackenzie has always had the skills to perform well on floor," said Hersey coach Shannon Barrett. "We just needed to work on the consistency and polish up the routine. I am really excited to see her sparkle on Friday."

Rolling Meadows sophomore Nicole Kane: Kane was a state qualifier on bars last season and seemed primed for a big season this year. But a fractured left fibula in early December halted her progress. The Mustangs sophomore made quite the comeback. She was limited in only one event but made the most of it in securing first place on bars at the MSL meet. Kane continued her momentum by taking second on bars at the Hoffman sectional, earning her second consecutive state appearance. "Nicole is a competitor and her desire to compete was the driving force to get her back," said Rolling Meadows coach Michael Costa. "She knew she belongs at state and really worked diligently to get back in competition shape."

Buffalo Grove sophomore Dagmara Sobolak: Sobolak was slowed early in the season by concussion, but the Bison sophomore had a strong finish. Sobolak took fourth on bars at the MSL meet and rode that momentum into the state series qualifying to the state meet on bars. "The concussion really affected her a lot and she was not able to compete in the all-around until January," said Buffalo Grove coach Stephanie Schrader. "She has become much more consistent, especially on bars and floor."

Barrington sophomore Lauren Tenbrunsel: Tenbrunsel will be making her second consecutive state appearance. Despite suffering a broken finger her freshman year, she still qualified on floor. This season, Tenbrunsel has been a force on the beam. She took fourth at the MSL meet and then tied for fifth at the Hoffman sectional to secure her state spot. "It was big for her to step into a leadership position this year and she handled it well," said Barrington coach Jason Loeffler. "Her beam is loaded and if she stays clean she has a good shot to make to Saturday, we're excited."

Maine West junior Megan Schore: Schore was the anchor for Maine West all season and the junior did not disappoint in the postseason. She battled through injuries this season and also bounced back from so-so bars and beam routine to nail her floor routine at sectionals. "She was able to come in as junior and blend right in with the team," said Maine West coach Amanda Harrison. "She has never let a score or routine effect the rest of her night."

- Michael Eaken