Scouting: Northwest suburban gymnastics
Teams to watch: It starts with defending state champion Fremd. The Vikings suffered a big loss with the graduation of Mary Burke, who swept all five individual events at last season state meet. Fremd also lost Eliza Grosshauser, but the Vikings return Tori Sarantakis, who finished third at state on the beam. Junior Caitlin Golota and senior Sarah Torp add experience from last years state title. Sophomores Maegan Wochinski, Nicole Thiel, and Alyssa VanDuch look to make an impact as the Vikings should once again be in the trophy hunt at the state meet.
Who will challenge the Vikings in the Mid-Suburban League? Palatine and Conant are both young but should get better as the season progresses. Senior Sam Saltess leads the Pirates and senior Kelly Hendricks leads the Cougars.
Barrington won its home regional last season and boasts some talented newcomers. MSL East winner Prospect has also improved but will be challenged by Buffalo Grove. Hersey is another team that may have challenged for the East title but suffered a blow when last year's state qualifier Kate Reszotko broke her foot during preseason. The junior is out for the season.
Individuals to watch: Fremd: Tori Sarantakis (Sr.), Caitlin Golota (Jr.); Palatine: Sam Saltess (Sr.), Marissa Mallon (Fr.); Conant: Kelly Hendricks (Sr.), Kristen Mpistolarides (Jr.), Nicole Duffy (So.); Barrington: Laura Sculley (Sr.); Schaumburg: Caitlin Barrett (So.), Brooke Shimon (So.); Prospect: Emily Rossduetcher (Sr.), Katie Colmone (Jr.); Buffalo Grove: Linda Dunne (Jr.), Reiko Akiyoshi (Sr.); Elk Grove: Kim Gulik (Sr.); Rolling Meadows: Jen Anderson (Sr.), Emily Anderson (So.); Hersey: Katie Dewar (So.); Leyden: Khrystyna Lychagine (Jr.), Elizabeth Reed (So.), Jenna Urbaniak (So.); Maine West: Stacey Delgado (So.).
Top meets: Downers Grove North Invite (Dec. 6, Fremd); Conant Invite (Dec. 13, Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg), Hinsdale Central (Dec. 13, Palatine), Hersey Invite (Dec. 13), Palatine Invite (Dec. 20); Maine West Invite (Dec. 30, Rolling Meadows, Schaumburg, Wheeling); Mid-Suburban League meet (Jan. 30 at Wheeling); state meet (Feb. 20-21 at Palatine).
What they're saying:
"I like this years group, it's a whole new bunch and we will get better as the season goes on." - Fremd coach Jim Guest
"We have a lot of experience walking through the door, and I think the younger ones can compete." - Barrington coach Jason Loeffler
"It will be a building year for us, we are young and inexperienced but we should get better as the season progresses." - Palatine coach Terry Theobald