Girls gymnastics state meet preview
Where: Palatine High School
When: Friday session I 12:30 p.m., session II 6:30 p.m. (all-around title); Saturday session III 6:45 p.m. (championship finals in individual events/team).
Teams to watch: Stevenson enters the competition with the top sectional mark (150.625). Senior Chelsie Seplowin and Stephanie Wojton lead the Patriots. Sandburg (149.95) and Carmel (148.30) enter with the second- and third-best sectional marks. Lyons Township, Hinsdale Central, Fremd, Batavia, and Glenbard North round out the eight team field. Fremd won the Lake Park sectional (146.05) and enter with the sixth-best mark. Fremd scored a disappointing 34.825 on the beam at the sectionals but is hoping to improve that mark at state. The Vikings have won three out of the last four state championships, but it's looking like they will not have their No. 2 all arounder Caitlin Golota. The junior injured her ankle before sectionals. But Tori Sarantakis has lifted the Vikings all season and the senior will be in the hunt for the all-around title. She will be aided by seniors Sarah Torp and Jenny Rotter. The Vikings also have been aided by strong sophomore class which includes Alyssia VanDuch, Maegan Wochinski, and Nicole Theil. Freshman twins Stephanie and Elizabeth Uhrich round out a solid and diversified Vikings line-up. Golota will be a big loss, but the Vikings haven't hit their best in the postseason yet and will be looking for a trophy.
Individuals to watch:
All around - Fremd's Sarantakis enters the state meet with the second best sectional mark (38.125). The senior has been consistent all season while leading the Vikings. Last year she finished sixth in the all-around. Barrington's Laura Sculley will also be looking for a medal. The senior has sparked the Fillies all season and took fifth at the Stevenson sectional (37.375.00). Buffalo Grove's Linda Dunne has also had an impressive season. The junior finished second in the all-around at Lake Park (36.80). Elk Grove's Kim Gulik is finishing with a bang, qualifying for state for the first time in the all-around, and Prospect's Emily Rossdeutcher capped a strong senior season and also qualified in the all around.
Vault - Sarantakis and Sculley both hit 9.7 on the vault at the sectionals and will be in contention. Dunne has also been a threat on the vault hitting a 9.55 at sectionals. Prospect's Katie Colmone has had her share of injuries this season, but the junior came on strong at the sectionals with a 9.50. Fremd's sophomore Alyssia VanDuch, Barrington's sophomore Lexi Marsella, and Elk Grove's Gulik will also be in the field.
Bars - Sarantakis enters with the top sectional mark of 9.7 and Sculley has the seventh best sectional mark at 9.45. Fremd sophomore Maegan Wochinski came back from a hyper-extended left knee to hit at sectionals (9.375). Fremd's VanDuch and Elk Grove's Gulik are also in the field.
Beam - Fremd's senior Sarah Torp and BG's Dunne tied for the Lake Park sectional title with a 9.175. Prospect's Rossdeutcher and Fremd's Sarantakis both excel on the beam. Maine West freshman Michelle Madalinski will get her first look at the state meet.
Floor - Sarantakis and Sculley both have electrifying floor performances. Conant's senior Kelly Hendricks is hoping her experience pays off. Schaumburg's Brooke Shimon missed state last year, but the sophomore came back from two elbow surgeries to qualify this year. BG's Dunne has made huge strides on the floor.
What they're saying
"We've looked good in practice for some time now - it hasn't transformed into our meets. I have to believe it's going to happen." - Fremd coach Jim Guest on the Vikings' beam performance
"Finally." - Prospect senior Emily Rossdeutcher on her first trip to the state meet
"This is huge for her, especially coming off the injuries, she's getting stronger and has been able to add more difficulty to her routine." - Schaumburg coach Jami Stilling on sophomore Brooke Shimon's first state meet on the floor after rebounding from two elbow surgeries.
"They bring the whole package; enthusiasm, good work ethic - sometimes I have to hold them back." - Prospect coach Julian Basler on what senior Emily Rossdeutcher and junior Katie Colmone have meant to the Knight program.
"She basically has been the backbone of our team this year - she is our top varsity gymnast and has taught the younger kids a lot." - Barrington coach Jason Loeffler on Fillies senior Laura Sculley.
- compiled by Michael Eaken