Fremd gets its groove back

Fremd seemed a bit out of synch at the Mid-Suburban League conference meet last Friday.

The Vikings finished first with a score of 143.925, but didn't seem to be hitting on all cylinders.

Fremd found its groove on Wednesday.

Junior Maegan Wochinski (37.850) and senior Caitlin Golota (37.250) went 1-2 in the all-around to lead host Fremd to its 19th consecutive regional title with a solid 147.3 in Palatine.

Fremd advances to the Schaumburg sectional on Monday at 6:30 p.m.

Lake Park took second with 132.075, followed by Rolling Meadows (130.075) and Maine East (111.35).

Wochinski finished eighth in the all-around at the MSL meet, but the junior came out firing on Wednesday, taking first on floor exercise (9.425) and second on the vault (9.475), bars (9.45) and beam (9.50) in a sizzling performance.

"I think I found my groove," said Wochinski. "Tonight was step one step and the steps will keep coming, we just have to take them one at a time."

Forget about steps - Golota took more of a leap in securing first on the vault (9.575), bars (9.55), and beam (9.50) in her second all-around performance of the season.

"It's frustrating to have meets like that," said Golota of the MSL meet. "But in the end those are the ones that make you stronger and make you work harder."

Sophomore Stephanie Uhrich (36.350) and junior Alyssia VanDuch (35.825) kept the Viking buzzing by taking third and fourth in the all-around.

Uhrich added a second-place finish on floor (9.350), third-place finishes on the vault (9.150) and beam (8.750), with a fourth place finish on bars (9.10).

VanDuch finished third on the vault (9.150), floor (8.8) and bars (9.325), with a fifth-place on beam (8.55).

And Freshman Emily Pinderski completed a sweep for the Viking by taking fifth on bars (8.625).

"They're a very resilient group," said Fremd coach Jim Guest of the solid Vikings attack. "Tonight was another test, and they passed."

Rolling Meadows sophomore Lauren Cerza continued to make strides by taking third on floor (8.8), fourth on beam (8.575) and fifth on the vault (8.95) in leading the Mustangs.

"I'm excited," said Cerza of her progress. "We just tried to stick together as a team and help each other out."

"She's come a long way since last year," said Meadows coach Mike Costa of his sophomore star. "When she puts it all together, she is definitely going to be up there."

Junior Becky Smith also advanced for the Mustangs, taking fifth on floor (8.75).

Senior Ashley Nelson advance for Lake Park taking fifth in all-around (34.125).

"I struggled on the beam, but my other events were solid," said Nelson, "I'm feeling more comfortable, and it's my last chance at state."