Team effort propels Glenbard West to title

There wasn't any doubt about who was the best team at Saturday's York Invitational.

Glenbard West won convincingly, posting the best score in all four events to produce a meet-best 147.675. Hinsdale Central was a distant second with a 144.125 and Neuqua Valley took third with a 141.9.

"We were definitely happy with how we did today," Hilltoppers coach Carlos Fuentes said. "We said, 'Let's hit all five on every single event,' and the girls love this (meet) because it's all about team scores, not individualized scores."

The Hilltoppers certainly had plenty of positive individual contributions.

Missy Guzman placed second in the all-around with a 36.750, Sarah Udelhofen won vault with a 9.6, and Nicole Pagor tied for second on floor with a 9.525 and had an all-around total of 36.3. Additionally, Shannon Dietz tied for third on vault with a 9.35 and shared first place honors on bars with teammate Becky Mladucky, who also earned third place on beam with a 9.3.

"We don't have the incredible 38 all-arounder, but the sum of our parts is so great that every kid up there will throw a 9 or a 9.2," Fuentes said. "People ask, 'Who is your good kid?' and I have very talented kids up and down the lineup."

That lineup was missing Megan Brennan and Kinnari Badger, two gymnasts who should be back in action to help the Hilltoppers compete for a conference title and a strong postseason run toward Palatine.

"For us to get a 147 and to be scoring good at the right time, and in the bigger meets, helps us feel confident," Mladucky said. "We've been working hard on all the events and just keep trying to do our best."

Competing for the fourth time in eight days, Neuqua Valley wasn't as sharp as it was earlier in the week.

"We've had so many good meets recently so you're bound not to have the best one," Neuqua Valley coach Christine Clark said. "Overall they still did very well."

Catherine Miller took fourth in the all-around with a 36.55, Morgan Knight tied for third in the floor exercise with a 9.5 and Ashley Nelson and Bryn Walsh shared third-place honors on vault.

Naperville North started strong on beam and floor but faded halfway through the competition and settled for a 135.525 and sixth place.

"The first half of the meet we were doing what I thought we needed to do," Huskies coach Chris Stanicek said. "We had some trouble with bars and had to eat a couple of falls. Most of our meets our full of highlights but not that overall 'that was a great meet' feeing and we need to get it all on the same day."

Waubonsie Valley/Metea Valley co-op finished right behind Naperville North with a 132.425. Jessica Malon had a memorable day, taking first in the floor exercise with a 9.55 and tying for second place on the vault with a 9.4. Maddie Strick posted the team's best all-around total with a 33.975.