Carmel's M&M combo sparkles
The bid by the Carmel Catholic girls gymnastics team for a state trophy got off to an impressive start Friday night - thanks to the Corsairs' sweet M&M combination.
Amber Mirski (38.225 average) and her younger sister Kristin (37.55) earned a 1-2 finish in the all-around, helping the Corsairs win their own regional with a score of 147.875.
"It's really exciting seeing us go 1-2 for the first time (this year)," Kristin Mirski said. "We work together really well. When we do that, we do a lot better helping the team."
New Trier moved into the second at-large spot and knocked out Barrington with a 142.6, advancing with Carmel to Tuesday's Stevenson sectional.
Niles West finished third (137.3), followed by Evanston (119.675) and Vernon Hills (112.65).
Amber Mirski won top honors in all four events - vault (9.725), bars (9.375), beam (9.3) and tied on floor with teammate Jen Zeller (9,575).
Kristin Mirski picked up seconds on vault (9.575) and bars (9.375), added a third place on floor (9.525) and was fourth on beam (9.075).
"We've got a way to push each other harder," said Amber Mirski about her sister. "It makes us better and it's a lot of teamwork."
Zeller tied for third on vault with New Trier's Kerry Scafidi (9.35) and chalked up a third on bars (9.325).
The Corsairs were rolling along on vault (37.675) and bars (36.925). But Carmel had four falls on the beam and scored a 35.4, after which coach Sarah Doyle pulled the entire team together for a meeting in the corner of the gym.
The Corsairs responded by putting together a strong performance on floor exercise (37.375)
"We had three out of four events that were good," Doyle said. "You can't be one of the top teams with the falls we had on beam. It's not where we want to be and have to step it up. We did have a great floor. But the girls have to take the excitement and confidence over to beam. In the get-together, all I said was it's done (the beam), that's all. It's over with. They adjusted and had a great time on floor."
Vernon Hills' Fallon Faia couldn't get through one event because of dizziness she suffered a little over a week ago at the North Suburban Conference meet. But Friday, she was able to finish every event and could earn at-large sectional berths in all four event and the all-around.
"At conference, it was upsetting to me," Faia said. "It's something to deal with for a while. Coming into this meet I was a little nervous. I wanted to redeem myself and didn't want to show my weak state. Placing doesn't matter to me. It's just getting to sectionals."