Fremd takes quantum leap

If there was anyone thinking that this could be a down year for the Fremd gymnastics squad, forget about it.

Fremd had trouble finding its rhythm to begin the season, but the Vikings found it at Thursday night's Mid-Suburban League triangular meet.

Fremd started the night by scoring 38.1 on the vault, and the Vikings kept the momentum going all the way through to the finish in taking first with a season high 148.55 in Palatine.

Sophomore Ashley Miller continued her strong showing by taking first in the all-around (37.8) leading Schaumburg to second with season high 141 points, and senior Linda Dunne took second in the all-around (37.55) in leading Buffalo Grove (130.6) to third.

Fremd's previous high was a 144.845, set at the New Trier Invite in December. The Vikes' new season high puts them among the state's elite teams.

"It's a nice way to open the second half," said Fremd coach Jim Guest. "I'm sure it will get some people's attention. It puts us in the ballpark and that is all you can ask for right now."

Stephanie Uhrich led the Vikings charge by taking third in the all-around (37.35). The sophomore started the night by tying for first on vault (9.6) and she finished up by taking first on floor (9.65).

"At practice my routines weren't going as well as I wanted them to," said Uhrich, who also was solid on bars (9.1) and beam (9.0). "But it ended up working out for me."

Caitlin Golota added to the Fremd surge by taking first on beam (9.7) and tying for first on bars (9.5).

"I've been working really hard on my beam routine for a long time," said Golota. "It's a hard event, very mental, so it felt good to stick it."

Freshman Emily Pinderski took third on the bars (9.35) and junior Maegan Wochinski added a third place on the floor (9.45).

Junior Alyssia VanDuch (9.5) and Shannon Lemajeur (9.5) helped Fremd to a fast start on the vault.

Miller was at it again for Schaumburg, as the sophomore tied for first on vault (9.6), took second on floor (9.5) and added a third-place finish on the beam (9.5).

"I'm definitely feeling it," said Miller, who just missed her major release on the bars (9.2). "It is easier to do better when I'm having fun and my teammates are doing good."

Junior Brooke Shimon competed in the all-around for the first time this season and gave the Saxons a lift with her floor routine (9.4)

Buffalo Grove was without coach Stephanie Schrader, who gave birth to a baby girl Wednesday morning.

Dunne did not miss a beat for the Bison. She tied for first on bars (9.5), took second on beam (9.6), and added a third-place finish on vault (9.55).

"It was a good meet," said Dunne. "I want to push myself even more, but I'm getting to where I want to be."