Naperville North at ease on own equipment
Like any other sport, a gymnastics team enjoys the self-assurance of its home equipment and gym.
Unfortunately, great success isn't as automatic as the home comfort level.
The Naperville North girls gymnastics team struggled in Saturday's Naperville North Invite but redeemed itself against Naperville Central on Thursday in a DuPage Valley Conference meet.
The Huskies easily defeated the Redhawks 138.6-123.
"We had a bad meet on Saturday and have worked very hard this week," said Kayla Kinder, who won the all-around with a 35.05 for the hosts. "We wanted to come here tonight and prove that we're better than that and have potential to still do great things."
While Thursday's meet was in the cozy quarters of Naperville North compared to a more spacious layout last Saturday, the Huskies like competing at home and will hope to use it to their advantage the rest of the way.
The DVC meet will be held at Naperville North, and the Huskies also have the honor of hosting their own regional in early February.
"I think the home equipment is an advantage. Knowing the floor, the beam and the feel of the gym itself," Huskies coach Chris Stanicek said. "Having the DVC and hosting a regional plays in our favor, but we have to keep hitting our routines consistently in practice for it to show."
A prime example of a gymnast whose hard work is finally paying off is Tori Tanaka. She's always excelled on beam but has struggled sticking her routine this winter. On Thursday she followed through with a 9.2 to win the event.
"I've had a rough start with it this year for whatever reason," Tanaka said. "It's been my best event since I started gymnastics, and I just love to do it. It felt great to hear the whole crowd cheering and to stick it."
Teammate Paige Bloodgood also delivered for the Huskies, winning the vault with an 8.95, while Kinder took top honors on floor and bars.
"I'm usually consistent on bars, and even though I fell on beam I was happy with it because I fell three times in the previous meet," Kinder said. "Floor was really good. It's always good to finish like that with your fans here."
Carolyn Filarski and Morgan McKenna both contributed a pair of top-three finishes, while Kate Noreen took second on the vault to help the Huskies.
Naperville Central improved by 3.4 points from its 119.6 in Saturday's Invite but lost Caley Faulker, who hyperextended her right knee after tying for third on vault.
"We did much better than Saturday, that's for sure," Redhawks coach Glen Reimers said. "They've been working hard since Saturday, but it's unfortunate that Caley hurt herself."
With Faulkner out the Redhawks competed on bars and beam with the misfortune of having to count the scores of all four gymnasts.
"People had to step up," Reimers said. "I thought they stepped up and did a nice job."
Faulkner is expected to miss Saturday's Fremd Invite, but Reimers hopes she is able to return for Senior Night next Thursday.
Jami Kay and Carrie Deveney competed as all-arounders for the Redhawks. Amy Zahakaylo led the team on beam and Rachel Oswalt did the same in the floor exercise.