Castriano, Stevenson impress in opener

Stevenson's defending state champion girls gymnastics team features a blend of experience and youth this season.

Alison Castriano played a big role on the state title team as a freshman, and she showed Wednesday night in the Patriots' season opener that she still has winning form.

Castriano, who earned a second-place medal on beam at state, won beam with a 9.3. Her performance helped Stevenson pull out a 141.7-140.65 win over host Lake Forest in a North Suburban Conference meet.

Castriano was the last gymnast on beam and drew on her experience at state.

"I pictured the gym and then I pictured state," she said. "I did it last year at state and wanted to do it here. All during practice the last week, I've been practicing and sticking (the routine)."

Castriano won the all-around (37.2) and floor (9.5), and tied for third on bars (9.0) with teammate Caitlin Pagano.

Stevenson coach Judy Harwood was not expecting her girls to eclipse 140 in their first meet.

"It's a miracle," Harwood said. "We do have a lot of potential and expect to be better by the end of the season. We've got five girls back from last year and they know what it takes. Some of them worked one or two events last year and now they're being asked to lead the team."

The Patriots' Theresa Wojton took second on bars (9.2), floor (9) and beam (8.6). She finished third in the all-around (35.9).

Stevenson's Lauren Patterson, in her first meet since ankle surgery, placed third on beam (8.5).

Lake Forest freshman Kylie Carlson discarded some nerves to place second in the all-around (36.25). She also won bars (9.4) and tied teammate Ofelia Carmichael for first on vault (9.7).

"I was nervous for the first time," Carlson said. "I've been working on (a Yurchenko pike) on vault for the last two years. I was just able to hit it and come out with a couple of strong routines."

Carmichael also took third on floor (8.8), and Grace Kohlmaier placed third on vault (9.5).

Lake Forest is expected to have one of its best teams in the last 25 years and flashed its potential against Stevenson.

"This could have been one of the first times beating Stevenson," Lake Forest coach Robin Straus said. "The girls did everything possible to beat them.

"We didn't hit our routines on beam and gave away a point and a half on floor. Our expectations are high. This is a good team."