The show goes on for Holop, Warren
Warren's Kacie Holop didn't stick to the same routine over last summer in preparation for her upcoming senior girls gymnastics season.
Instead, Holop took on the role of a Ninja for a show called "Operation Spygirl" at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee.
"I've always loved to perform and it's a big part of me," said Holop, who's entering her fourth year on varsity. "It was a big opportunity and it was demanding. It's something I see for the future."
Holop found her way into the show when Lance Shayhan and Jeff Jay were practicing for the show at Ultimate Gymnastics, the same place Holop works out.
"They had asked me and I figured I had nothing better to do," Holop said. "It turned out to be a fun summer job."
It wasn't all that easy for Holop. There was some tumbling involved, and that was the easy part. But then there was learning fighting, and stunt falls off bridges.
Holop first practiced gymnastics from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at Ultimate, and then did three shows a day until 8 p.m. at Six Flags
"I wasn't scared," said Holop, who was one of the younger ones in the show. "I was more interested in the people who were experienced and older. It was difficult to learn at first and then I caught on.
"The best part was the people I met. There were so many people with different backgrounds, and I'll have so many memories from it."
Holop has also taken on a new role in her life: team leader.
She's hoping the Blue Devils can reach their ultimate goal of a state championship.
"I think I matured a lot," Holop said. "We've got a younger team this year and I'll be taking on more of a leadership role."
The big three: Three Lake County gymnastics programs stand in the forefront this decade, and they continue to be among the best schools in the state.
Carmel, Stevenson and Warren have plenty of talent and depth to be there once again when the state meet comes around in February.
The Blue Devils could be the deepest with Holop and sophomore Kim Gotlund returning with three other all-arounders (Kaley Brown, Chelsea Youngberg and Katie Vovolka) as Carrie Parker takes over as the head coach after J.R. Halek stepped back at the end of last year.
"I believe we've got a very strong group coming back," said Parker, who was a gymnast on Westosha Central's fifth-place Wisconsin team in 2001. "This is a team that has great personalities and I'm glad to have a team like this in my first year."
Carmel brings back some outstanding all-arounders in sophomore Amber Mirski and senior MaryAnn Oehlerking, along with senior Lndsey Falk and sophomore Lauren Pytel.
"It's a great group on varsity and some will have to do double duty," said Carmel coach Sarah Mikrut-Doyle, who delivered a baby boy before the season started, about five weeks ago. "With our top girls and the experience of the younger ones, we should have enough to get back there (to state)."
Stevenson, for the third straight year, has the experience of three juniors as Shana Manning, Chelsie Seplowin and Stephanie Wojton figure to lead the way.
"These girls have come up and are juniors now," Stevenson coach Judy Harwood said. "They've made good progress over the summer, and we've got a couple of new freshman into the mix. They have the experience now and should be one of the top eight schools."
Top returning gymnasts: Fallon Faia (VH) So., Kim Gotlund (Warren) So., Kelsey Gustafson (Mundelein), Sr., Kacie Holop (Warren), Sr. Cody Ksioszk (Lakes) Sr., Shanna Manning (Stevenson) Jr., Amber Mirski (Carmel) So., MaryAnn Oehlerking (Carmel) Sr., Taylor Reckert (Mundelein) Jr., Chelsie Seplowin (Stevenson) Jr., Becca Schmidt (Mundelein), Megan Stubbs (Libertyville) Jr., Brittany Tazzioli (Libertyville) Sr., Kelsey Teegen (Mundelein) Jr., Amanda Winn (Libertyville) Jr., Stephanie Wojton (Stevenson) Jr.