Burke leads Fremd to season high 148, invite title

There are days when even teams who have been to state and are considered contenders every year can have an off day.

Everyone, that is, except defending state champion Fremd.

The Vikings, led by the incomparable Mary Burke, won the New Trier Invitational on Saturday afternoon with a season-high 148.

Stevenson took second with 142.4, following by Carmel with 138.95, New Trier at 137.735, Niles North with 124.325 and Evanston 107.676.

In their previous two meets, the Vikings had scored 143 and 146.

"We just want to continue to improve," said Fremd coach Jim Guest. "We've got areas to improve on, but right now, we need to work on things. I think it will pay dividends at the end of the season."

This meet is usually the final one before the holiday break, but Fremd has a meet against Palatine on Wednesday that will go a long way toward deciding the Mid-Suburban League West Division champion.

"I've done that my whole life," Guest said of shuffling his lineup. "Even with a team like this, I try to put other kids in. At the end of the season we'll see who will be in the regional lineup."

Burke surprised no one by winning all four events and the all-around.

One thing you can count on when Burke is about to compete is that the rest of the gymnasts from all other teams stop what they're doing and watch the senior compete.

"I try not to think about it," said Burke, who is aware that she is being watched carefully. "I'm just thinking about my routines."

Despite not performing quite as well as their coach would have liked, the Stevenson Patriots came close to their season high of 143.9.

The Patriots were led by team captain Stephanie Wojton -- who placed in the top five in three events.

"I think we did very well today," Wojton said. "We had a rough start on floor, then we pulled it together."

"It's frustrating because we haven't been able to execute in a meet the things we know we can do in practice," said Patriots coach Judy Harwood. "I feel like we're maturing as a team. We really see it as a work in progress."