Gotlund's got it going

Kim Gotlund is growing up quickly as an elite gymnast.

The Warren sophomore chalked up the second-best score in the all around (38.25) on Friday night at the girls gymnastics state meet Friday in Palatine.

Fremd's Mary Burke earned her third all-around title in four years with a 38.725. Two others have won three years in a row, Fremd's MaryAnne Kelly and Lyons' Janne Klepek.

Gotlund qualified for the Saturday finals in three events -- vault (9.7), beam (9.6), and bars (9.5). Gotlund also had a 9.525 on floor but didn't advance out of the sectional in that event.

"It's a great accomplishment for me," said Gotlund, who was 22nd in the state as a freshman last year. "I just had a good meet and hit everything."

Stevenson had gymnasts place eighth and ninth in all around, Chelsie Seplowin (37.55) and Stephanie Wojton (37.325).

Carmel's Amber Mirski took 10th and posted 37.3.

In the team competition, Fremd is the front runner for its second straight and 12th gymnastics title overall at 149.925.

Stevenson, looking for its first state trophy since 2004, has a slim lead over North Suburban Conference rival Warren for second place, 147.4-146.9.

The Patriots were tied with the Blue Devils going into the final rotation and stayed on the beam, which did the trick. Stevenson outscored Warren 36.7-36.2.

"Even if it wasn't our last event, we always hit the beam," Stevenson coach Judy Harwood said. "It doesn't matter if it's the first or last event. Every meet always seems to come down to the beam.

"They've been a good beam team all year. I've kind of expected them to do it. But you can't predict what they can do under these circumstances. It was late in the night and a lot of pressure."

All three juniors stayed on the beam for Stevenson -- Seplowin (9.35), Wojton (9.275) and Shana Manning (9.225).

"I really wanted to make one event to the final," said Seplowin of reaching the finals on beam. "I knew we were neck and neck with Warren. They didn't have the best meet and the same can be said of us, too.

"When we got up there (beam), we had to give it our all. Everybody knew we could stick it. We're one of the most consistent teams on beam in the state."

The Blue Devils however had some falls that hurt them in the final event and now have to look toward Saturday night to increase their score.

"We didn't hit beam," Warren coach Carrie Parker said. "We definitely knew we had a chance. If you hit beam, you do well. Actually, all events except vault we missed on, and we could've done better.

"We do have a girl in every event (Saturday). It all depends if we can hit."

Carmel is sitting in fifth place at 145.4 behind Lyons, fourth 146.075.

"We had a good meet and ended on a high note," Carmel coach Sarah Doyle said. "I think we placed right where I thought we would be."

Others who qualified for the finals included Warren's Kacie Holop on floor (9.6), Carmel's Mirski on floor (9.4) and bars (9.3) and teammate MaryAnn Oehlerking on bars (9.4).

Stevenson's Wojton also advanced on beam (9.275) and on bars (9.3).