Fremd continues to sparkle in New Year

The Fremd girls gymnastic team has experienced a tale of two seasons.

Fremd struggled to break the 144.0 mark before the New Year, but the Vikings have come on strong since the calendar turned - eclipsing that mark in all four of its meets.

The host Vikings continued their momentum Saturday at the Mari-Rae Sopper Invite by taking first in the seven-team field with 147.925 points.

Lyons took second with 146.225, followed by St. Charles co-op (138.875), Sandburg (136.125) and Downers Grove South (135.45).

"It's been a real team effort, which is good," said Fremd coach Jim Guest. "The fact that we're not relying on just one person - it's the whole group, so it's been nice."

Vikings junior Maegan Wochinski took first in the all-around (37.60), including a pair of seconds on the uneven parallel bars (9.4) and balance beam (9.55) to go with a fourth on floor (9.45).

"We're very confident," said Wochinski, whose Vikings hit a season-high 148.55 the first meet of 2010. "Once we competed at that one meet, it brought our confidence up and we started working so much harder."

Vikings senior Caitlin Golota took first on beam (9.6) and bars (9.55). Golota hit an impressive flipflop-layout-stepout combination during her beam routine.

"It's one of those skills that you work so hard on and to hit it is an amazing feeling," Golota said. "I put it in the beginning of my routine and it set the pace for the rest of it."

Vikings sophomore Stephanie Uhrich won floor (9.55). Freshman Shannon Lemajeur was third on floor (9.5) and fifth on vault (9.45). Junior Alyssia VanDuch added a fifth on bars (9.25).

"I definitely think we are right where we need to be," Golota said. "Coming out of the break, everyone has been really motivated and we're looking better. I think everyone is gaining confidence."

Lyons' Carolynn Cozza nailed a Yurchenko layout to take first on vault (9.8). Teamates Simone Bunsen (9.6) and Taylor Southworth (9.55) went 3-4 on vault.

"Vault is one of our stronger events," Cozza said. "So we're definitely happy with how that went."

Stephanie de la Torriente took fourth in the all-around (36.575) and was fourth on beam (9.4) to pace St. Charles co-op.

De la Torriente qualified for state her first three years and is hoping to land a state medal this year.

"It would be really nice, but there are a lot of good girls out there," De la Torriente said. "You have to expect going into state that there is going to be someone better than you, and you have to work up to get there."

Rachel Haake finished third in the all-around (36.70) to pace Downers Grove South. The senior took fifth on the floor (9.4).

"I think I'm more well rounded this year," said Haake, who finished seventh at state last year on floor. "I feel I have better skills on the other events and I have a shot of going to state in the all-around."