Sculley looms large for improving Fillies
Barrington's Laura Sculley may not be the tallest girl around, but the senior makes up for her lack of size with a bundle of emotion.
The 5-foot-01/2 senior was at it again on Wednesday night, leading a much improved Barrington girls gymnastics squad to a Mid-Suburban West triangular meet victory with 140.55 points at Schaumburg.
Schaumburg took second with 135.15 points followed by Palatine (131.65).
It was the second consecutive week the Fillies scored 140 points and Sculley has played a big part.
Sculley is the only senior in the rotation that features 1 sophomore and 4 freshmen.
"She's very valuable because she's the oldest one on our team," said Barrington coach Jason Loeffler of his senior star. "The younger kids are definitely looking up to her."
Sculley won the all-around (37.1 points), taking first on the bars (9.4) and vault (9.45), second on the floor (9.25), and third on the beam (9.0).
Sculley (bars) and Kelsey Persels were state qualifiers for the Fillies last season, but Persels graduated, leaving Sculley with the leadership reigns.
"It's very different because Kelsey was captain for two years," said Sculley. "She was always like my role model, now I'm in her position with all the younger girls"
And Sculley has taken over the leadership role with a burst of energy, exchanging fist bumps and finger touches after each routine with her teammates.
"Everyone just gets so excited after we do a routine," added Sculley of her energy. "It's great because we are doing so well."
And her teammates have been feeding off her.
"She's always there for you, lifting you up," said sophomore Lexi Marsella of Sculley's leadership. "If someone is having a bad day she's there to say the right word."
And with Sculley in charge don't look for the Fillies to have too many bad days.
Knights' 1-2 punch: Prospect has won the MSL East title five consecutive years, and the Knights' fast start has put them in great position to make it six straight.
On Tuesday night Prospect defeated Buffalo Grove and Wheeling, scoring a season high 139.07 points for a 3-0 record in the East.
Senior Emily Rossdeutcher and junior Katie Colmone have led the Knights' charge.
Rossdeutcher hit a 9.4 on the floor and added 9.425 on the beam to power the Knights on Tuesday.
"I'm really happy with my beam score," added Rossdeutcher, who has been more confident and consistent on the beam. "I had yet to hit a 9 until this year, the mid 9s is just over the top from a year ago."
Colmone has had rough start to the season, suffering a concussion at the Rolling Meadows invite on a fall on the bars.
But the junior is rounding back into form and hit a 9.35 on the vault on Tuesday.
First-year Prospect coach Julian Basler didn't hesitate when asked about his two stars.
"Out of the 17 years I've been associated with Prospect gymnastics Emily is the best girl we've ever had," said Basler, "And Colmone is right on her heels - it's a 1-2 punch.
"When Emily is not on top Colmone is and when Colmone is not on top Emily is - they make great teammates."
Add sophomore twins Christina and Sarah Pekar, with junior Lindsay Johnson and freshman Lauren Johnson and the Knights have all the ingredients for a successful season.
"We have a lot of potential with this team," added Colmone, "we still mess up here and there, but then you see the score and it's like 'Oh wow.'"
"I've never been on a team that is so much like a family," added Rossdeutcher of the close-knit Prospect squad. "We get along really well and help each other through everything."
The Knights are hoping to keep thing rolling, as they will participate at the Palatine Invite at 11 a.m. Saturday.
Burke Has Wildcats purring: Junior Amy Burke has turned a few heads in the early part of the season for Wheeling.
Burke competed in club gymnastics her first two years, but the junior has made herself feel right at home for the Wildcats this season.
Burke has posted some sweet scores on the vault (9.45), floor (9.5), bars (8.8) and beam (8.95) this season and on Tuesday night the junior won the all-around title at the MSL East triangular meet with 36.25.
"I like it," said Burke of the high school team atmosphere. "It's been a lot of fun and it's been a lot of fun with the team. They have helped me get used to the high school season."
Wheeling coach Stephanie Fike has noticed Burke has raised the bar for her squad.
"Her club work ethic has elevated the work ethic of the entire team," added Fike of her junior star. "She doesn't have to say anything, but she sets an example."
One event Burke is working hard on is the beam. The junior seemed to be hitting her marks at Tuesday meet on the beam before a late fall gave her 8.95, but the talent is definitely there.
"I haven't hit a beam routine yet," added Burke. "That used to be one of my better events, so there is definitely room for improvement."
But Burke has already given the Wheeling squad a big lift.
Looking ahead: Palatine will host the Sandy Oldham Invite at 11 a.m. Saturday. Fremd travels to the New Trier Invite at noon Saturday and will get its first look at Stevenson and Carmel.