Miller helps Neuqua win Upstate Eight
Catherine Miller hadn't successfully executed a new layout on beam. She also had never been a part of an Upstate Eight Conference championship either.
That all changed during Friday's UEC meet at Lake Park. Miller mastered her full up layout on beam to win with a 9.750 to help the Wildcats win the conference, beating runner-up St Charles co-op, 144.275-142.9.
South Elgin/Bartlett/Streamwood edged Waubonsie Valley/Metea Valley co-op for third place 141.2-141.150 and Lake Park placed fifth with a season-best 138.225.
"Catherine's beam was huge, especially since we started on beam," Neuqua Valley coach Christine Clark said. "It was a nice meet for us and good to see other girls step up with Bryn (Walsh) out (injured)."
Miller also won bars with a 9.250 and posted the second-best all-around total with a 37.05.
"Half the team is seniors, so to win this during senior year is awesome," Miller said. "It was really great to win conference and to leave with a title."
The Wildcats also received a pair of 9.2 scores in the floor exercise from Morgan Knight and Ashley Nelson. Knight also took second on bars with a 9.2.
Stephanie de la Torriente enjoyed her final conference meet, ending in style by winning the all-around title with a 37.45. She also won the floor exercise with a 9.4 and added a second-place finish on beam with a 9.6.
"It added a little something to leave here the last time (winning the all-around)," de la Torriente said. "Even though we didn't win I'm still happy with how we did. We almost had a 143 which is pretty awesome, especially right before the regional."
St. Charles co-op also received strong contributions from senior Shelby Le Duc who had a 9.25 on vault and 9.150 on floor. Kaylee Arnold added a 9.2 on vault.
"We've had a rough year with a lot of injuries so it's been disappointing," St. Charles co-op coach Amy Lill said. "But we also keep increasing so we look forward to the regional and sectional."
South Elgin/Bartlett/Streamwood co-op endured a scary moment when Breanna Ghostone injured herself while performing her floor routine.
"After she fell I was shaken up by it, as were the girls," South Elgin/Bartlett/Streamwood co-op coach Amy August said. "But the team recovered and stuck their routines after that."
The incident didn't appear to faze on the team on vault as Emily Potts and Taeopae Wetterman finished 1-2 in the event with a 9.65 and 9.6, respectively.
"Taeopae did her Yurchenko pike for the first time this year so that helped out with the team score," August said. "There were some good teams and scores and I thought we put together a nice meet. The girls did the best they could."
Waubonsie Valley/Metea Valley co-op overcame an injury of its own when Danielle Christy came up short on her vault landing. The team still had a solid meet with Emily Kelly placing third in the all-around with a 36.9. Highlights for Kelly included her 9.3 in the floor exercise and a 9.4 on beam.
"Everyone's getting tired or hurt, and losing Danielle today hurt," Kelly said. "But we know we still need to pick it up. I was pretty happy with how we did but we still have to get past some things in order to be a better team."
Comprised of six freshmen and only a single senior, the Lancers showed how far they've come from the beginning of the season when they scored a 129.55.
"It was our last home meet and we had our biggest score," Lake Park coach Keith Matune said. "The girls did a great job and have really come around. They had a great meet tonight."