All-around effort lifts Pats

Stevenson's girls gymnastics team had its first true test of the season Saturday.

The Patriots competed in the Lake County Invitational at Lake Forest without senior all-arounders Stephanie Wojton and Shana Manning. Wojton sat out with an injury, while Manning had a commitment outside of gymnastics.

The rest of the Patriots passed the test, chalking up a first-place 146.63. Carmel Catholic was second with a 145.35, followed by Barrington (139.3), Libertyville (138.3) and Lake Forest (138.2) in the 10-team field.

"We haven't had too many meets that have been tough this year," Stevenson coach Judy Harwood said. "This was a great opportunity for us because we had to work to win this meet.

"Without our two all-arounders, we had to see what we really can do. They all stepped up and it turned out good for us. With regionals and sectionals coming up, it should be easier for us."

Stevenson's Chelsie Seplowin posted a meet-best 37.575 in the all-around and also placed first on floor (9.6) and vault (9.5). Seplowin took second on bars (9.4) and fifth on beam (9.075).

"I thought I did really good (considering) a fall on beam," said Seplowin, who was doing the all-around for the second time this season. The other was at the New Trier invite. "It's weird, because I don't usually fall on beam.

"I knew this was a big meet. I might have been a little rusty not doing the all-around in a while."

Stevenson had plenty of support from its younger gymnasts. Ali Castriano won beam with a 9.2 finished third in the all-around (36.7), took fifth on floor (9.35) and tied for fifth on bars (9.15) with Carmel's Amber Mirski.

Stevenson's Caitlin Pagano chalked up first on bars (9.55). Carline Dobkin contributed too for the Patriots.

As it did in the Lake Forest invite, Carmel struggled on floor, according to coach Sarah Mikrut-Doyle.

"Hopefully, we can work out the kinks before the state series," she said. "We know where to pick things up. A lot of it is our confidence. We've got the ability. We just need to be a little more tougher and more confident."

Kristin Mirski led the Corsairs with a second-place finish in the all-around (season-best 37.2), while her older sister Amber was fifth (36.4). Kristin was third on bars (9.3), fourth on beam (9.1) and tied for fourth on floor (9.4) with Warren's Katie Vovolka.

Amber Mirski tied for second on vault with Libertyville's Amber Winn, as each earned a 9.45, and was second on floor (9.5).

"It was a good meet, except for my fall on beam," Kristin Mirski said.

Barrington has had success in recent meets reaching the 140 mark. The Fillies didn't hit it, but still competed well, especially they're shorthanded.

Barrington's Laura Scully placed third in the all-around (36.7) and was fourth on bars (9.2). Lexi Marcella tied for second on beam with Lake Forest's Katie Meier (9.15).

Fillies freshman all-arounder Marissa Krzysko missed the meet with a sore knee.

"I feel this was one of our best meets," Barrington coach Jason Loeffler said.

"We're not at full strength right now. We've been doing a ton of routines and working on new tricks."

Warren has done well at county in recent years, but the Blue Devils are young - and wounded.

Vovolka was a highlight for Warren with a season-best score on vault. She stuck her pike Tsuk.

"It was probably one of my best," Vovolka said. "It's hard out there without Kim (Gotlund, who's competing club). But we're pulling things through."