Girls gymnastics: Mid-Suburban meet preview
MSL girls gymnastics meet preview
Where: Schaumburg
When: Friday, 6 p.m.
Teams to watch: There is only one place to start, and that is with Fremd. The Vikings have won 20 MSL titles and seemed poised to add another one on Friday. Fremd has really come on since Christmas break, averaging 147.275 in four meets, including hitting a season-high 148.55 on Jan. 7. The thing that stands out for the Vikings is they have received contributions from the entire team. Caitlin Golota is set to return in the all-around but the senior has been a threat all season long on the bars and beam; meanwhile Maegan Wochinski opened some eyes with her performance at the Fremd Invite, taking first in the all-around (37.60). The junior has definitely made a late push this season. Junior Alyssia VanDuch is also primed for a breakout meet, adding to the Vikings' attack. "It's been someone different every meet all year long, and I would expect it to be no different for this meet," said Fremd coach Jim Guest. The race for second offers plenty of intrigue. Palatine set the tone early by hitting a 141.30 in December, but the Pirates' attack was slowed by injuries. The one constant for the Pirates has been the steady performance of freshman Nicole Kuksuk. Barrington has also had its share of injuries, but sophomore Hannah Heider helped propel a fast-healing Fillies team to season-best 139.95 on Jan. 21. Prospect and Schaumburg are peaking at the right time. The Knights hit a season-high 142 on Jan. 12 in winning their seventh consecutive MSL East Division title, led by the return of Katie Colmone in the all-around. The Saxons have been rising all season, capped by season-best 142.90 at Prospect Invite on Jan. 16. The return of junior Brooke Shimon, along with the emergence of sophomore star Ahsley Miller, has propelled the Saxons.
Individuals to watch: Ashley Miller, soph, Schaumburg - The sophomore has had a breakout season, including career marks on the vault (9.7) and bars (9.7). A star in the making.
Linda Dunne, sr., Buffalo Grove - The senior finished second in the all-around last year at the MSL meet and is ready to pick up where she left off.
Caitlin Golota, sr., Fremd - The senior has been slowed by ankle injuries but will be back in the all-around on Friday. Last year Golota took fourth in the all-around in the MSL.
Katie Colmone, sr., Prospect - The senior has been dealing with a back injury for most of the season but showed no rust since returning to the all-around in early January.
Maegan Wochinski, jr., Fremd - The junior was slowed by an injury early but has been rock solid for the Vikings since the beginning of the year.
Brooke Shimon, jr., Schaumburg - The junior has recovered from a broken right ankle and flashed tons of potential at the end of the season.
Amy Burke, sr., Wheeling - The senior finished third in the all-around at the MSL meet last season and has had a solid season.
Katelyn Reszotko, sr., Hersey - The Huskies' senior has made a nice return after missing her entire junior season to an injury.
Nicole Kuksuk, fr., Palatine - The Pirates freshman has powered a young team which has shown plenty of potential for the future.
Lexi Marsella, jr., Barrington - The Fillies junior was slowed by an ankle injury in early January, but the 2009 state vault qualifier could be a threat.
What they're saying
"I never expected to do this well this season. Last year I looked up to a lot of these girls, but now I feel my confidence has grown and I can compete with them."
- Schaumburg's Ashley Miller
"I'm feeling really good. I have three years under my belt and hoping that it helps this postseason."
- Buffalo Grove's Linda Dunne
Postseason preview
Schaumburg sectional - The Schaumburg regional kicks off a busy week of competition at 6:30 p.m. Monday. The host Saxons are favored in the field, which includes Hersey, Elk Grove, and Hoffman Estates. Prospect will host a regional on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. The host Knights are favorite to advance in a field that includes Wheeling. Top seeded Fremd host a regional at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. The field also includes Rolling Meadows. Palatine hosts the final regional of the week at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Buffalo Grove, Maine West, and Conant join the favorite Pirates in the field. All four regionals feed into the Schaumburg sectional Monday, Feb. 8 at 6:30 p.m.
Stevenson sectional - Barrington travels to the Stevenson regional on Thursday, Feb. 4 at 6:30 p.m. The Stevenson sectional will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 9, starting at 6:30 p.m.