Schaumburg soars at Prospect invite
Schaumburg and Prospect seem to be peaking at the right time.
The Saxons and Knights continued their momentum Saturday.
Sophomore Ashley Miller (37.325) and junior Brooke Shimon (37.025) went 1-3 in the all-around to help Schaumburg nip the host Knights 142.90-141.35 at the Prospect Invite.
Rolling Meadows took third with 130.675 points followed by Buffalo Grove (130.6), Elk Grove (125.3) and Wheeling (118.65).
Schaumburg has become healthy at the right time - and it showed Saturday.
"I think they really believe in themselves," said Saxons coach Jami Stilling, whose team hit a season best. "Before it was me telling them, now they actually realize they have the talent."
Miller has made believers out of everyone this season. She took first on vault (9.7), added a pair of seconds on beam (9.35) and floor (9.1) and placed third on uneven parallel bars (9.175).
"We're doing really well, and today wasn't even a perfect day," Miller said. "Everyone has their new skills and we're putting them in our routines."
The Saxons have received a huge lift from Shimon, who just returned to the all-around. The junior took first on beam (9.55), added a second on bars (9.2) and tied for fifth on floor (8.925).
The Saxons' Caitlin Barrett added a third on beam (9.2).
"Every meet we're increasing little by little, and it helping a lot," Shimon said. "We're getting better and better, and the goal is getting closer and closer. It's exciting to see that happening."
Prospect had scored a season-best 142 Tuesday en route to winning the Mid-Suburban League East Division title - and they were right on target again Saturday.
The Knights' Katie Colmone took second in the all-around (37.05), and the senior added a first on bars (9.65), third on floor (9.0) and fourth on vault (9.55).
Freshman Meggie Kanie took fourth on floor (8.95), and sophomore Lauren Johnson added a fifth on vault (9.5).
"We're meshing and pulling together at the right time," Colmone said. "It's exciting to see everyone step up."
Linda Dunne continued to shine for Buffalo Grove, taking fourth in all-around (36.6). The senior took third on vault (9.6) and added fifth-place finishes on bars (9.1), beam (8.975) and floor (8.925).
"Not one of my strongest performances," Dunne said. "But I'm glad at this meet I was able to get out any last jitters so I can be ready for the rest of the season."
Wheeling's Amy Burke was fifth in the all-around (36.4), including a first on floor (9.25), second on vault (9.65) and fourth on bars (9.15).
"I need a lot of adrenaline on the floor," Burke said. "So I tell all the girls to get loud, it gives me the extra push. I'm really excited. I know where I want to be."
Elk Grove senior Christine Baldovin took fourth on beam (9.0).
For Rolling Meadows, Emily Anderson took seventh on the beam (8.9) and Lauren Cerza added a pair of eighth-place finishes on vault (9.2) and bars (8.3).