Castriano, Wojton spark Stevenson
Stevenson lost one of its top all-arounders, Caitlin Pagano, who dislocated her elbow at the North Suburban Conference meet last week and is sidelined for the state series.
But the reigning state champion Patriots are turning to other competitors to lead the way back to state.
Sophomore Theresa Wojton has stepped up impressively, especially the last couple of meets, following in the footsteps of her sister Stephanie - who is competing at Winona State in Minnesota.
"We thought it would be a lot of work, but we're having a lot of fun," said Wojton about the loss of Pagano. "We all had to step up. If I'm usually saying something, it's go out and have fun and do it for the team."
The Patriots certainly enjoyed the outcome in ther home gym Thursday night, winning the regional with a 146.2.
Barrington hit a season-high 140.775 to earn a sectional at-large berth, bumping Libertyville from Tuesday's Stevenson sectional. Glenbrook North finished third (136.875) and Highland Park fourth 120.525.
"Our score was outstanding," said Patriots coach Judy Harwood. "We finally figured out how to vault (37.2). It was our biggest score all season and helped our score.
"These girls have never doubted themselves. They want to be one of the top teams in state and thier going after it. Let's take it one step at a time and see how far they can go."
The Patriots' Ali Castriano had a career-best all-around (38.25) to take regional honors, followed by Wojton (37.25). Castriano grabbed the top spots on beam (9.7), floor (9.575) and (bars (9.525) and tied for second on vault (9.45) with Barrngton's Tiffany Persels.
Wojton was first on vault (9.55), added seconds on floor (9.475) and bars (9.05) and a third on beam (9.2). Becca Feltman-Frank qualified fifth on vault (9.25) and fourth on bars (8.95), while Lauren Patterson was third on bars (8.95) and Carlie Dobkin fifth on beam (8.725) for the Patriots.
The Fillies, who have been plagued by injuries most of the season, became healthier at the right time and beat their previous high of 139,9.
"It feels good to be there (second at-large) with one regional left," said Fillies coach Jason Loeffler. "The girls deserve every bit of it, because they have worked hard.
"We haven't been healthy all year. Maybe one meet, that's about it. Everybody on this team has had an injury at some point."
Lexi Marsella came back from a recent ankle injury with a clean beam routine to take second with a 9.4.
"Of course beam, four inches wide and getting nervous like all of us did," Marsella said "Watching the others fall, I had to do it for the team and had to stick it."
Marsella placed third in the all-around (36.825), and teammate Tiffany Persels finished fifth (35.1). Marsella also posted fourth on vault (9.3) and tied for fourth (9.3) with Glenbrook North's Adrienne Vogelsang on floor. Persels took fifth on bars (8.825).
"I''m not completely back," said Persels, who has returned from a bone bruise on her knee. "It will take a long time to heal. Being on it really doesn't help it. My vault was my best score this year."