Wojton, Patriots break 150

Stephanie Wojton put her best foot forward on Monday night, helping Stevenson's girls gymnastic team post a season-best score of 150.15 in its own regional meet in Lincolnshire.

Wojton had injured her left foot in a dual meet against Mundelein early last month. She was completely out of action for a short period and then had been limited to bars over the last couple weeks.

Still not 100 percent healthy, Wojton competed in all four events in the regional Monday - and fared a whole lot better than expected.

Wojton finished first on bars with an incredible routine (9.45), then followed up with a second-place tie with teammate Shana Manning on vault (9.325). Wojton placed fourth on beam (9.35) and tied for third in the all-around with Ali Castriano (37.075).

"I know the team needed it," said Stephanie Wojton, who was eighth in the all-around at the state meet last year. "I was taking things one event at a time.

"I haven't practiced for four weeks. It was a big accomplishment, because I needed to get out there at some point and work through the pain. I know I can do it now and have time to rest before the sectional in 10 days."

Chelsie Seplowin led the Patriots by winning the all-around (38.05), vault (9.75), beam (9.7) and floor (9.65). Seplowin was also fifth on bars (8.95).

Manning placed second in the all-around (37.1) and floor (9.3), fourth on bars (9.175) and fifth on beam (9.3). Castriano placed third on bars (9.2) and beam (9.525) and fourth on vault (9.275) and floor (9.075). Pagano chalked up second on bars (9.375) and Theresa Wojton was fifth on floor (9.025).

Stevenson beat its previous high of 149.8 set last Monday in its final regular-season dual and hit 18 of 20 routines in reaching above 150 for the first time this season.

"We've been flirting with it for a long time and it's good to finally be able to achieve it," Stevenson coach Judy Harwood said. "It was great to get Stephanie back to put us over the top.

"We do have a little room for improvement at sectionals. It's a good time to get it. We still some room to improve."

The sectional will be hosted by Stevenson on Feb. 12.

Mundelein's Kelsey Teegen qualified on floor, taking third place (9.2), and shared honors in the all-around with her teammate Nicole Badofsky in fifth place (34.825).

"On the floor, I concentrated on my passes and had a lot of energy," Teegen said. "The regionals are a lot more nerve-wracking, trying to make it into the sectional."