Sarantakis, Sculley persevere
No one can question the toughness of Fremd's Tori Sarantakis or the patience of Barrington's Laura Sculley.
Both were on display at the IHSA girls gymnastics state meet on Friday at Palatine.
On her first event, Sarantakis almost completely tore her left toenail off on her bar dismount, but the senior came back with a vengeance to finish fourth in the all-around with a 37.85.
Sculley started day as the first performer on the bars in the first session, and ended the night as the last performer on the floor. The senior's patience was rewarded as she finished fifth in the all-around with 37.55.
Stevenson leads the team race with 148.55 points, followed by Sandburg (147.775). The chase for third place is neck-and-neck between Glenbard North (146.625), Carmel (146.425), Fremd (146.375), and Lyons (146.025).
Hinsdale Central (145.55) and Batavia (143.80) round out the eight-team field.
Prairie Ridge Co-op sophomore Jenny Covers won the all around with a 38.30, followed by Sandburg's Krystyn Misheck (37.975).
The race for the individual champions and team titles will begin today at 6:30 p.m. at Palatine High School.
Fremd's chances of a team trophy seemed to be peeling away when Sarantakis caught her toe on the bar dismount. But after having the toe wrapped with a bandage she proceeded to nail the final three events by qualifying for first on the floor (9.65), tying for first on the beam (9.425), and tying for sixth on the vault (9.675).
"It was hurting," said Sarantakis of the injury. "The trainers kept telling me I couldn't compete and I had to go to the ER (emergency room), but I toughed it out."
Her comeback even had Fremd coach Jim Guest shaking his head in amazement.
"I never saw anything like it," said Guest. "But that's been her trademark - to come back and hit at crucial times."
Senior Sarah Torp also advanced on the beam for Fremd, tying for sixth place (9.325), as the Vikings returned to form scoring a 36.525 on the event.
Sculley opened the first session by placing fifth on the bars (9.4) and closed the second session by taking eighth on the floor (9.35). In between, the senior finished tied for third on the vault (9.7) to complete a sterling all-around performance.
"Bars are one of my most difficult events, but I'm glad I started with them," added Scully. "Then I just fed off the crowd for the floor, but it felt like the longest meet of my life."
"She had her game face on today," said Barrington coach Jason Loeffler. "It's hard to pace yourself on a day like today, but she did."
Buffalo Grove's Linda Dunne looked a bit more comfortable on the state stage this year. The junior took ninth (9.225) on the beam to advance to the finals.
"I think I held my composure better this year," said Dunne after advancing to her first finals. "I just knew I could hit on the beam."
St. Edward's Jordyn Madden finished eighth on the vault (9.55) to advance to Saturday's finals.
The freshman showed her confidence by throwing a tsuk layout on her second vault attempt.
"I just tried to relax, but I never thought I'd make it to the finals," said Madden, who finished 23rd in the all around competition with 36.05.