Colmone and Co. aim to extend Prospect's improvement

Last year Prospect's girls gymnastics team had one its most successful season, and with Katie Colmone leading the way the Knights don't plan to let up this season.

Prospect won its sixth consecutive Mid-Suburban East division title last season by hitting a school record 142.45.

The Knights then finished third at the MSL meet and took first at the Hersey regional.

Emily Rossdeutcher and Colmone both qualified for the state meet to cap a successful season.

But Rossdeutcher has graduated, passing the torch to Colmone to lead the Knights this season, and the senior looks ready.

"We lost Emily," said Prospect coach Julian Basler, "but at the same time it will be a good thing for Colmone.

"She can be the leader and show everything she has."

Colmone is excited about taking over the leadership role with team full of potential with junior twins Christina and Sarah Pekar aiding the Knights.

"I'm really excited," said Colmone of the Knights' momentum. "We did well last season and this team has a lot of potential."

It begins with Colmone, who will be one of the top all-arounders in the MSL this season.

"She is a great all-arounder," added Basler of his senior star. "She is just so talented, the most important thing is to peak at the right time and stay healthy."

Colmone has had her share of injuries, including a concussion, shoulder injury, broken left foot, and a back injury all in the last year.

The senior injured her back last spring and held back on some workouts this summer. It affected her training, especially on the floor exercise.

"I don't think I've been injury-free one season," said Colmone of her setbacks. "I need to improve on the floor. I wasn't able to work the floor very much this summer and I lost some tumbling. But I'm getting it back."

Colmone has shown all the skills in the all-around with impressive career highs on the beam (9.3), floor (9.2), vault (9.55), and bars (9.525). The potential is definitely there.

Colmone just missed qualifying for the state meet in her freshman and sophomore year, but broke through in her junior year, hitting 9.5 on the vault finishing fourth at the Lake Park sectionals and qualifying for the state meet.

"I really wanted to get to state and then when I got there I was a bit scared," said Colmone, who hit a 9.3 in Friday's preliminaries. "It wasn't as good as I would have hoped for, but I'm glad I got my first state meet out of the way."

Colmone was also a force on the bars last season, tying for fourth at the MSL meet with a 9.25. She seemed to be in good position to qualify for state but a fall on her double dismount cut short her attempt.

"Her bar routine is just insane," added Basler of Colmone, who took third on bars at the regional with a 9.0. "She is just so talented."

Colmone is not lacking confidence after training with many of the area's competitors in her club.

"When you go to the meets and see the girls you've been working out with all year it gives you confidence," added Colmone. "You know you can compete with them and it's not new."

Colmone has also done it in the class, securing a 5.0 GPA, and is considering St. Louis University.

Now the senior is looking to build on last season's momentum and finish with a bang.

"From the first day in she already has everything she needs," said Basler of Colmone's talent. "Now it's working on stamina, working on routines, and staying clean."

"She's a great leader, works hard, and is very mature and driven."

While preparing for the impending season Colmone was able to peek ahead to what she hopes will be a sterling finish.

"I'm looking to get to state in more than one event and show what I have," said Colmone of her goals. "I want to end on a high note."

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