Stevenson showcases wealth of talent to take invite

The Stevenson girls gymnastic team finished second at state last season - and the Patriots have picked up where they left off.

Stevenson scored a 146.45 to win its opening dual meet overt Vernon Hills on Wednesday night, and the Patriots followed it up by storming to the title with 73.05 points at the 28th annual Al Galatte Invite on Saturday at Rolling Meadows.

Carmel took second with 70.80 points, followed by Lake Forest (67.925), Wheaton North (65.65), and Barrington (65.20).

"They have a goal and that's to be undefeated," said Stevenson coach Judy Harwood whose team won its seventh title at Rolling Meadows. "It's going to be difficult, but they're off to a good start."

Each competitor was limited to one event at the invite with two competitors per event. Stevenson went 1-2 in both floor exercise and uneven bars to set the tone.

Patriots seniors Chelsie Seplowin (9.7) and Stephanie Wojton (9.6) went 1-2 on the floor to cap a sterling performance.

"Me and Stephanie have been saying all week we can hit, we can do it," said Seplowin. "And we did. Both of our routines were watered down, so we can only get better."

Sophomore Cailtin Pagano (9.45) and senior Shana Manning (9.10) added to the Patriots charge by going 1-2 on bars. Carline Dobkin (9.3) took fifth on vault and Theresa Wojton (9.10) added a third place on balance beam.

Seplowin, Stephanie Wojton, and Manning powered Stevenson to its second-place state finish last season - and this year the seniors want a bit more.

"Everyone wants more," Wojton said. "There's a lot of pressure on us because we are seniors and we want it to be our best year yet."

And there is no arguing with the Patriots' success so far.

Carmel finished fifth at state last season and the Corsairs also seem poised for a big campaign.

Junior Amber Mirski hit 9.15 on beam to take second. Last year, qualified for the state finals on both bars and floor.

"We have the potential to do really well this year," Mirski said. "I'm so excited about our team. We're close and we'll definitely get better as the season progresses."

Carmel's Kristin Mirski (9.2) and Lauren Pytel (9.05) took third and fourth on the floor, while Jennifer Zeller (9.05) was third on bars.

"Each of the girls was doing something different or harder, it was our first meet of the year so I was very impressed with how each of them did," said Carmel coach Sarah Doyle.

Angie Cronk (9.55) took first on vault to lead Wheaton North to a fourth-place finish.

Lexi Marcella (9.0) and Laura Scully (8.9) took sixth and ninth place on the floor, and Tori Brunet (9.2) was third on vault as Barrington was fifth.

"Every meet under the belt with these kids they get a little more experience and a little more comfortable," said Barrington coach Jason Loeffler. "All these kids are all-around, they just need the confidence."

Prospect's Christina Pekar (8.95) was seventh on floor, Sarah Pekar (9.10) eight on vault and Lauren Johnson (8.10) took ninth on bars.

"I think I had more power than usual," said Sarah Pekar. "We're pumped for this year and we just want to do our best."

Kristen Mpistolarides (9.05) took ninth on vault and Nicole Duffy (8.8) took fourth on beam as Conant was eighth.

"I was surprised because I didn't land it during warmups," said Mpistolarides.

Emily Anderson (8.6) took seventh on beam, Jen Anderson (8.4) captured fifth on bars and Lauren Cerza (8.0) was 10th on bars as Rolling Meadows finished 10th.

Schaumburg sophomore Brooke Shimon (9.40) hit a career best to win beam.

"We weren't having our best meet, so I wanted to bring our team back," said Shimon. "I just went hard and went for everything."

Elk Grove senior Kim Gulik (9.35) took third on vault.

"Actually it was pretty good, I only took one step," said Gulik, a state qualifier on bars last season. "This meet was a lot of fun, it was only one event so it was much more relaxed."

Buffalo Grove senior Linda Dunne (9.325) took fourth on vault.

"It felt good," Dunne said. "There is always things I can improve on, but it's getting the practice in."

Hoffman Estates' Trina Pasco (8.75) was fifth on beam.