Scouting: Lake County girls gymnastics teams
Carmel Catholic
Coach: Sarah Mikrut-Doyle (eighth year).
Top gymnasts lost: Lindsay Falk, Mary Anne Oehlerking (Wisconsin-Oskosh).
Top returning gymnasts: Senior Catherine Gas; junirs Amber Mirski, Lauren Pytel; sophomore Daniella Clement.
Newcomers: Sophomore Lauren Bowles; freshmen Kristin Mirski, Jennifer Zeller.
Outlook: Reaching state hasn't been the problem for Carmel over the last number of years. There's been plenty of talent and experience. Trying to get into the top three is where the Corsairs want to be after taking fifth last year. "The group we've got this year is strong on beam and floor," said coach Sarah Mikrut-Doyle. "We're returning state-tested gymnasts. Once again we'll have weaknesses on the bars, but we hope to continually improve throughout the season to remedy the issue." The Corsairs will have Amber Mirski back returning from shoulder surgery. "She's back in top form and increasing her skill level in every event," Mikrut-Doyle said. "Also, girls returning from last season will offer experience and talent on specific events." Keep an eye on a couple of freshmen: Kristin Mirski, younger sister of Amber, and Jennifer Zeller.
Lakes
Coach: Tiffany Magliola (fourth year).
Top gymnasts lost: Cody Ksioszk, Alyssa Istvanek, Nicki Mede, Jessica Bashaw.
Top returning gymnasts: Junior Sarah Page; senior Raven Jackson-Stone.
Newcomers: sophomore Shyler Brumm; freshman Amie Cipolla.
Outlook: The Eagles may be a bit grounded early this season without much experience, but later they should get back up in the air. "We lost our entire varsity squad," said Lakes coach Tiffany Magliola. "The only place is to go up. I still feel we've got a lot of talent with our freshman. It's all a matter of getting experience." Shyler Brumm and Amie Cipolla are ones to keep an Eagles' eye on. The rest of the team will be young. "They're will be a lot of growth this season," Magliola said. "I do expect to see improvement by the end of the season."
Libertyville
Coach: Curt Austin (30th year).
Top gymnasts lost: Brooke Beres, Sima Gandi, Brittany Tazzioli.
Top returning gymnasts: Seniors Kerry Boyce, Eileen Janaes, Lizzy Vollmer, Amanda Winn; sophomore Leah Herchenbach.
Newcomers: Freshmen Tori Metcalf, Sarah Choitoff, Lindsay Schweitzer.
Outlook: A young group of competitors could lead the Wildcats to another level. Libertyville had its best score opening a season (133.25) in six years in its first meet and got a win over Warren. "I really think we can be on the bubble for the sectional," said Wildcats coach Curt Austin. "If we can have enough at that time with a big score, maybe we can get to state. But it's a wait-and-see with progress. We always have room for improvement, This group is a hard working group of girls and should do quite well as a team." The Wildcats welcome back senior Amanda Winn, who reached state last year on vault.
Mundelein
Coach: Nancy Toland (ninth year).
Top gymnast lost: Kelsey Gustafson.
Top returning gymnasts: Seniors Kelsey Teegen, Stephanie Metkel juniors Alyssa Corso, Jenny Ranck, Ellen Sagendorph; sophomores Anna Chiappetta, Emily Tylka.
Newcomer: Freshman Nicole Badofsky.
Outlook: The Mustangs will be looking for Kelsey Teegen making a return trip to state this year. Teegen finished 25th on bars in February. "We're looking for good things from Kelsey this year as a senior," said Mustangs coach Nancy Toland. "She started getting stronger at the end of last year." Watch freshman Nicole Badofsky, who could qualify for sectionals and possibly state. "The rest of the girls are filling in the spots," Toland said. "These kids are doing it for the love of the sport and the challenge of doing it. They just do the best they can do in competing."
Stevenson
Coach: Judy Harwood (19th year).
Top gymnasts lost: Jessica Hennings, Kia Dybas.
Top returning gymnasts: Seniors Shana Manning, Chelsea Seplowin, Stephanie Wojton; sophomores Caitlin Pagano, Carlie Dopkin.
Newcomers: Freshmen Theresa Wojton, Alison Castriano.
Outlook: Stevenson returns its talented three seniors, Shana Manning,
Chelsea Seplowin and Stephanie Wojton after a second-place finish at the state meet last year. Providing depth are sophomores Caitlin Pagano and Carlie Dopkin. Freshmen Theresa Wojton (Stephanie's sister) and Alison Castriano round out the team. Junior Lauren Patterson won't compete this season as she recovers from ankle surgery. The Patriots opened their season with a mark of 146.45 to win the Rolling Meadows invite Saturday.
Vernon Hills
Coach: Denise Caton (fifth year).
Top gymnasts lost: Justyna Antzcak, Carrie Kliver, Rachael Treske.
Top returning gymnast: Junior Falon Faia.
Newcomers: Senior Taylor Laluzerne; juniors Nancy Lee, Brita Smith, Carley Umphress; sophomore Vanessa Kator; freshmen Kyley Majmunar, Sam Sreniawski.
Outlook: Vernon Hills is rebuilding with younger gymnasts, and the process might take time. "This year our team is very new. We lost our entire varsity squad at the end of last season," said Cougars coach Denise Caton, who changed her name from Houda after getting married this year. "We're looking to grow and improve as individuals and a team this season."
Warren
Coach: Christy Worth (first year)
Top gymnasts lost: Kim Gotlund (club), Katie Holop (Western Michigan), Chelsea Youngberg.
Top returning gymnast: Junior Katie Vovolka.
Newcomers: Junior Shana Burnell; sophomore Allison Brener; sophomore Kayla Hauser; freshman Alison Rossman.
Outlook: Warren, third in the state meet last season, features some changes this year. Former Blue Devils gymnast Christy Worth, who graduated in 2003, takes over coaching duties after Carrie Parker moved to Arizona. "It's nice to come back to coach," said Worth, who was an assistant last year and started out in the program as a freshman. "Over my years, we finished second and fourth in state." Warren graduated talented all-arounders Kacie Holop and Chelsea Youngberg, and Kim Gotlund is competing in club gymnastics. "It's always a goal to make it back to state," Worth said. "We just have to take things one day at a time. We just have to work on our skills and perfect them by the sectionals. We do have a group of girls working hard, because of what they saw last year."