Promising Palatine breaks 140

Palatine is used to success in girls gymnastics, but last year the Pirates struggled through a difficult season.

Palatine seems to be on track this season energized with an infusion of young talent.

Freshman Nicole Kuksuk (36.90) and sophomore Marissa Mallon (35.30) went 1-2 in the all around on Wednesday, leading host Palatine to 141.30-134.80 Mid-Suburban West dual meet victory over Schaumburg.

"This year we have a lot more going," said Palatine coach Terry Theobold, whose team did not break 140 until Jan. 15 last season. "We're young, but they don't know about pressure and all that stuff. They just go out and perform."

And the Pirates did a pretty good job on Wednesday.

Kuksuk flashed plenty of potential, taking first on the beam (9.3) and vault (9.6), and then taking second on the bars (8.9) and floor (9.1).

"It's all about the team support," said Kuksuk. "I'm still working on a lot of stuff, but I'm really excited about our potential."

Mallon had an injury-plagued freshman year, including torn ligaments that wiped out her postseason. But the sophomore showed what she could do when healthy, taking first on bars (9.3) and placing second on vault (9.4).

"We're just trying to figure out each other's weaknesses and strengths," said Mallon. "And we're building off that."

Freshman Abby Alden added to the Pirates' success with a second-place finish on beam (9.0), with sophomore Autumn Peterson tying for third on floor (8.6).

So, what is the potential of this talented young squad?

"It's unlimited, its wide open," said Theobold.

Schaumburg also has high hopes for this season, and with junior Brooke Shimon coming back from a broken right ankle the Saxons will only get better.

Shimon was a state qualifier on the floor last season, and is slowly easing herself back into competition.

Junior Caitlin Barrett and sophomore Ashley Miller picked up the slack for the Saxons on Wednesday.

Miller took first on the floor (9.5) and third on the vault (9.3), while Barrett took third in all-around (35.0), tied for second on bars (8.9) and beam (9.0), and tied for third on floor (8.6)

Miller came back from a pair of falls on the bars to nail the vault and floor.

"I was a bit flustered," said Miller after her opening bar set. "But my coaches and teammates told me it was fine and to block it out. That is what I tried doing, and it helped."

Schaumburg also received a lift from freshman Amanda Sigler and freshman Alexis Poterack.

"We know what Ashley and Caitlin are going to do," said Schaumburg coach Jami Stilling. "The second and third girls are really coming up and pulling their weight."