Vikes turn it around

Fremd didn't exactly end 2008 with a bang. The Vikings finished second at the New Trier Invite on Dec. 19 with a solid score of 143.075, but the team was a bit disappointed.

But Fremd wasted little time in turning things around in 2009. The Vikings swept all four individual events in taking first in the Mid-Suburban League crossover triangular meet on Wednesday with a score of 145.75 at Palatine.

Host Palatine took second with 135.3 followed by Wheeling at 113.0.

"The hardest thing about the New Trier meet was we didn't have a meet for 2 1/2 weeks," said Fremd coach Jim Guest of the two-time defending state champions. "We wanted to get back in competition and get that meet behind us. Now we can move forward."

Senior Tori Sarantakis led the way taking first on beam (9.7) and bars (9.45), with a second on floor exercise (9.3).

"After New Trier we were very fired up," added Sarantakis. "We worked super hard during the break, and with state coming closer we really have to buckle down - which we are, we're getting there."

Junior Caitlin Golota took first on vault (9.7) and added a second-place finish on bars (9.1) for the Vikings.

"It's a new year now and we just want to step it up," said Golota of the Vikings' focus. "We want to live up to what we know we can do."

It was a well-rounded performance for Fremd as Alyssia VanDuch took first for the Vikings on floor (9.4) and third on beam (9.1).

Fremd's Sarah Torp took second on beam (9.15) and third on floor (9.1), and Nicole Theil added to the Vikings' crisp attack by taking third on both vault (9.4) and bars (8.65).

Guest was pleased with Vikings' performance on the beam as the Viking swept the event, scoring 36.70.

"We spent a lot of time on beam over the break," added Guest, "We set some goals and we still have a way to go but we're making progress. I like the direction we're going in."

Palatine senior Sam Saltess led the Pirates' attack by taking first in the all-around (35.85). She tied for third on the beam (9.1) and also scored high on the floor (9.0) and vault (9.2).

"It was nice getting back into it," said Saltess. "It's the final push to get to state - now I just have to lock it in."

Junior Amy Burke led Wheeling by taking second on the vault (9.6).

"We were a little down today due to some illnesses and injuries," said Wheeling coach Stephanie Fike, "But Amy is looking strong and she is putting some new stuff in."