Northwest girls gymnastics sectional preview
Schaumburg sectional
When: Monday, 6:30 p.m.
Automatic team qualifiers: Fremd (147.30), Schaumburg (143.10), Prospect (140.225), Palatine (137.40)
At-large team qualifiers: Maine South (139.75), Hersey (134.75)
Top individual events regional scores
Vault: Caitlin Golota (Fremd) 9.575; uneven bars: Ashley Miller (Schaumburg) 9.70, balance beam: Caitlin Golota (Fremd) 9.675; floor exercise: Jamie Brocker (Maine South) 9.45; all-around: Maegan Wochinski (Fremd) 37.85.
Advancement: Sectional champion and top five gymnasts in each event including all-around automatically advance to the IHSA state meet at Palatine High School, Feb. 19-20.
Outlook: Fremd had a bit of a hiccup at the Mid-Suburban League meet Jan. 29th, but still finished first. The Vikings came back strong to win their 19th consecutive regional title. Golota and Wochinski power Fremd, but the Vikings have received major contributions from junior Alyssia VanDuch, sophomore Stephanie Uhrich, sophomore Elizabeth Uhrich, freshman Emily Pinderski and Junior Kelsey Onesto. Fremd will be seeking its 25th consecutive trip to the state meet. Schaumburg is looking to cap one of the most successful seasons in school history with the Saxons' first trip to the state meet. Junior Brooke Shimon and sophomore Ashley Miller have powered Schaumburg, and junior Caitlin Barrett and freshman Erin Barrett stepped up big at the regional. Prospect won its regional behind solid performances from senior Katie Colmone and sophomore Lauren Johnson. The Knights have also received contributions from junior twins Sarah and Christina Pekar. Freshman Nicole Kuksuk and sophomore Marissa Mallon have led Palatine this season.
Making points: Why is 145 important? Many in the know believe this will be the cutoff mark for an at-large state berth.
Five impact competitors: Linda Dunne, Sr., Buffalo Grove - She qualified for state her first three years, tying for sixth on beam last winter. Dunne has increased her difficulty on floor, which should raise her all-around score.
Caitlin Golota, Sr., Fremd - She has been cautious this season coming back from a right ankle injury. But Golota let it rip in Wednesday's regional, taking first on beam, vault and bars. If the senior can raise her floor score, she will be a threat to win the sectional all-around.
Ashley Miller, Soph., Schaumburg - It is worth the price of admission to see her Tkatchev release on bars. Miller has hit the major release in her last two competitions and won the bars with a 9.7.
Maegan Wochinsk, Jr. Fremd - The Vikings junior is solid in all four events and had the top regional score in the all-around.
Amy Burke, Sr. Wheeling - The quiet Wildcat has been making plenty of noise in the gym. Burke is looking to clean up her beam routine but doesn't have a lot of gaps to fill.
Other individuals to watch: St. Edward's Jordyn and Abby Madden are solid individual performers. Last year as a sophomore, Jordyn took eighth place at state in the vault, while freshman Abby took the all-around title at the Schaumburg regional Monday. Maine South senior Paula Papaioannou, who competed in club gymnastics her first three years, has come on strong for the Hawks this season and won the all-around at the Prospect regional.
Stevenson sectional
When: Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
Outlook: Barrington scored a season-best 140.775 at the Stevenson sectional Thursday, but the Fillies missed qualifying as a team in the deepest and strongest sectional in state. Carmel (147.875), Lake Forest (146.40), defending state champion Stevenson (146.20), Prairie Ridge/District 155 (145.20), Warren (144.40) and New Trier (142.60) make up the six-team field. It's not a stretch to say that five teams from this sectional could all qualify for the state meet. Stevenson's Ali Castriano had the top regional all-around score (38.25), but will be challenged by Carmel's Amber and Kristin Mirski, Lake Forest Kylie Carlson, Warren's Kim Gotlund, and defending state champion Jenny Covers. Junior Lexi Marsella and sophomore Tiffany Persels power Barrington. Marsella, a state qualifier on the vault last season, has stepped up this winter despite a midseason ankle injury. The junior took third in the regional all-around.