Willowbrook solid at Hinsdale Central

If balance beams could talk they could tell some interesting stories involving the sectional efforts of Willowbrook gymnast Jeni Scahill.

There was the nightmarish performance as a freshman in 2006 when Scahill fell three times. Then there was the joyful celebration last year when she scored a 9.1 and earned a trip to the state finals.

And there was Wednesday night's performance. It wasn't great, nor was it horrible, but it was simply middle-of-the-road, much like how the Willowbrook's other three gymnasts fared during the Hinsdale Central sectional.

"We had a better meet at regional," Willowbrook coach Beth Gray said. "That was our last meet as a team and we had a season high. Tonight wasn't our best meet, but it wasn't our worst. Still, I was happy with our progress this season."

Scahill and Anna Tiberi competed in the all-around but neither cracked the Top 20. Tiberi finished with a 34.825 and Scahill scored a 34.2.

"I was glad to not start with a fall (on beam), but I didn't make it tonight," Scahill said. "But I stayed healthy this year and we had a good season."

Tiberi was the lone Warriors gymnast to produce a better score in an event at the sectional than during the regional as her 8.6 floor exercise was a slight improvement over her 8.575 regional score.

"I felt as good as I did last week, but I didn't score as well," Tiberi said. "I liked my bars, but the score wasn't as high as I thought it would be."

Her 9.025 effort on bars keeps her barely alive for an at-large berth for state in the event.

The final two gymnasts who competed for Willowbrook were limited to single event participation.

Last year Sara Hampton competed on beam at the sectional. Wednesday night she did so on floor exercise, scoring an 8.25.

"Maybe next year on all-around," Hampton joked. "I did better at regional, but I still thought I did pretty good tonight."

Sophomore Josie Haxton made her first sectional appearance and scored a 7.9 in her floor routine.

"I wasn't nervous as I thought, but it wasn't one of my best routines," she said. "But I was just glad to be there and hopefully I can get back next year."

Lyons Twp. won the sectional with a total of 147.425. Hinsdale Central was fourth (139.275) and Downers Grove South finished in sixth (137.775).

The final at-large qualifiers for state will be determined late tonight. York senior Jackie Stefani (36.475) remains in the hunt for an all-around berth.