Banner sectional performance from Carmel

Carmel Catholic's girls gymnastic team would like to hang another brown championship banner in the school's gym, and there's a strong possibility it could happen in the near future.

The Corsairs moved a step closer Tuesday night, as they won the Stevenson sectional by posting a state-best score of 147.95 in Lincolnshire. Prairie Ridge (146.375) was second, followed by Lake Forest (144.85), Warren (144.175), Stevenson (142.9) and New Trier (138.725).

"Our girls should have personal goals and they're the ones to achieve them," Carmel coach Sarah Doyle said. "I promote all that and the personal things they want."

The Corsairs raised their last banner in 2005, when they finished third in the state. Last year, the Corsairs missed third place my three-tenths of a point and finished fifth at state.

"It devastated the team," Doyle said. "Sometimes you need something like that, a gut check. They were so close to the stand. "

Carmel's Jen Zeller finished second in the all-around with a season-best 37.65 behind Warren's Kim Gotlund (38.2). Zeller also tied for third on bars with Warren's Kelci Schulz and Stevenson's Ali Castriano (9.475) and placed fourth on floor (9.575).

"I was really determined to work hard for my team," Zeller said. "I wanted to work as hard as I could to help out the team score."

Carmel's Amber Mirski tied for seventh in the all-around with Prairie Ridge's Jenny Covers, as each posted a 37.2. Mirski placed first on floor (9.675), tied for third on vault (9.55) with Ofelia Carmichael of Lake Forest and placed seventh on beam (9.325). Mirski's sister, Kristin, picked up fourth in the all-around (37.5), second on beam (9.475) behind Castriano (9.55), eighth on bars (9.3) and tied for ninth on vault with Vernon Hills' Fallon Faia (9.375).

"I was confident on floor and needed to pick things up," said Amber Mirksi, after a fall on the beam. "I knew I did bad on beam and had to change my attitude."

Gotlund also finished second behind Prairie Ridge's Jenny Covers (9.875) on vault with a 9.65. Gotlund had a second on bars (9.5) behind champion Kylie Carlson of Lake Forest (9.525). Gotlund finished third on beam (9.425).

"I kind of got my confidence back," Gotlund said. "I was just thinking of what I could do best for myself and the team."

The Blue Devils had support from Katie Vovolka, who was sixth in the all-around (37.275) and fifth on floor (9.525). She also tied for sixth on vault with Prairie Ridge's Taylor Weber and Stevenson's Therese Wojton (9.4).

There are four at-large team berths for the state meet next week at Palatine High School. Carmel and Fremd have qualified. Of the remaining two sectionals Wednesday and Thursday, right now four teams could advance from the Stevenson sectional.

"We had a great performance over the last three events," said Warren coach Christy Worth, whose team had a rough start on beam (34.1) and recovered for a 144.175. "We'll see what happens, if we get through."

The reigning state champions Stevenson sits on the bubble.

"I don't expect us to qualify for state," said Stevenson coach Judy Harwood, whose team has battled through late-season injuries. "We should come back next year and contend for the state meet."