Scouting Northwest girls gymnastics
By Michael Eaken
Daily Herald Correspondent
Overall outlook
Fremd finished third last season behind state champion Carmel and second-place Lyons. This year the Vikings return everyone except Caitlin Golota, who finished fifth on the bars at state. Fremd has won 20 state trophies including 12 state titles; the Vikings will be in the hunt once again for a state trophy with a deep and talented squad. Schaumburg is also looking strong and returns a full lineup, including junior Ashley Miller, who won the Mid-Suburban League all-around. The Saxons made a strong run at qualifying for state last year and are hoping to take the next step this year. Barrington is also a team with high expectations. The Fillies were hurt by injuries last year, but come back deeper this season. Palatine is young but may offer a surprise by the end of the season. Prospect lost senior all-around gymnast Katie Colmone but has plenty of talent returning. Hersey and Rolling Meadows will also be looking to make some noise. Carmel, Lyons, and Prairie Ridge return plenty of talent to make a run at a state trophy.
Area outlook
Fremd
Coach: Jim Guest
Varsity gymnasts: Seniors Alyssia Van Duch, Maegan Wochinski, Kelsey Onesto; juniors Elizabeth Uhrich, Stephanie Uhrich; sophomores Stephanie Gallo, Anna Johnson, Shannon Lemajeur, Emily Pinderski; freshman Christine Jensen.
Outlook: The defending MSL champion Vikings are very deep. Van Duch, Wochinski and Onesto offer plenty of state experience, and the Uhrich twins were big contributors last year. A talented sophomore class is looking to make a mark this season.
Schaumburg
Coach: Jami Stilling
Varsity gymnasts: Brooke Shimon, Ashley Miller, Caitlin Barrett, Erin Barrett, Amanda Sigler, Kristen Peterson, Alexa Kolias, Kat Young.
Outlook: Shimon, Miller, and Caitlin Barrett power an experienced and solid varsity squad. Miller is coming off a breakthrough season and Shimon is looking to finish with a bang, giving the Saxons a powerful 1-2 punch. Schaumburg finished second in the MSL last year and has high expectations this year.
Barrington
Coach: Jason Loeffler
Varsity gymnasts: Senior Lexi Marsella; juniors Hannah Heider, Tiffany Persels, Tori Brunet, Merissa Krzysko; freshmen Laine Leedstrom, Brooke Morgan.
Outlook: Barrington enters the season a bit healthier than last year. Marsella has the talent to be one of the top all-around gymnasts in conference and the Fillies complement her with a talented junior class.
Prospect
Coach: Randy Smith
Varsity gymnasts: Seniors Sarah Pekar, Christina Pekar; junior Lauren Johnson; sophomore Maggie Kania; freshmen Jackie DiFonzo, Gianna Scala.
Outlook: The Knights lost all-around gymnast Katie Colmone, but return a solid core in Sarah and Christina Pekar, and Lauren Johnson. Kania qualified for state last year on the floor and is hoping to continue her progress this season.
Palatine
Coach: Terry Theobald
Varsity gymnasts: Senior Nicole Barba; juniors Autumn Petersen, Marissa Mallon; sophomores Abby Alden, Nicole Kuksuk, Megan Hedstrom, Alissa Judson.
Outlook: The Pirates are young, but they are talented. Kuksuk qualified for state on the floor last season. Barba offers experience and leadership. This team will get better as the season progresses.
Hersey
Coach: Jacqueline Parat
Varsity gymnasts: Seniors Katie Dewar, Julie Mustain, Haley Scott, Beata Styrczula, Cayla Phillips; freshmen Annie Johnson, Hannah Bovino, Marisa Cussan.
Outlook: The Huskies will miss Katelyn Reszotko, but Dewar and Scott give the Huskies a talented 1-2 punch. Hersey will challenge Prospect in the MSL East division.
Rolling Meadows
Coach: Michael Costa
Varsity gymnasts: Lauren Cerza, Emily Andersen, Rachel Andersen, Becky Smith, Jill Pfisterer, Sarah Bohac.
Outlook: Cerza is looking to build on a solid junior year in leading the Mustangs. Meadows returns four seniors to offer experience.
Buffalo Grove
Coach: Stephanie Schrader
Varsity gymnasts: Juniors Katie Strack, Valerie Valak, Stefani Arapidis, Krysta Walter; sophomores Jordan Mann, Margie Reilly; freshman Erika Ray.
Outlook: The Bison will miss Linda Dunne and top returning gymnast Strack will miss the first part of the season with a knee injury. BG is hoping to see progress from a young team.
Elk Grove
Coach: Heather DeCook
Varsity gymnasts: Amelia Rafferty, Emily Hennessy, Kalina Kirilova, Natalie Przybylski, Elena Skarlatos, Ioana Manahilova, Sylvia Wolicki.
Outlook: The Grenadiers are looking for progress. Rafferty offers plenty of hope and is the Grens top returning all-around gymnast. Hennessy will also add to the Grens attack.
Conant
Coach: Lorel Cunningham
Varsity gymnasts: Brie Bibel, Sarah Starzynski, Meicie Bennett, Haley Schuhl, Bridget Waas, Lauren Stone
Outlook: The Cougars are young but will be competitive. Bibel, Starzynski and Bennett are newcomers who will be looking to make an impact throughout the season.
Wheeling
Coach: Bridget Erickson
Varsity gymnasts: Juniors Colleen Creech, Angela Reinhart; sophomores Jess Livingston, Aly Pink: freshman Anna Meintzer.
Outlook: Wheeling lost all-arounder Amy Burke, who took third at state on the vault. This year the Wildcats will depend on Creech and Livingston to power their attack.
Hoffman Estates
Coach: Natalie Balsley
Varsity gymnasts: Sydney Johnson, Maitri Majithia, Audrey Tonkinson, Michelle Lyons, Emily Madrid, Kasey Ray, Jill Steinmiller, Alex Tuminuro.
Outlook: Johnson, Majithia, and Tonkinson add experience to the Hawks attack.
Maine West
Coach: Caeli Sievert
Varsity gymnasts: Stacey Delgado, Michelle Madalinski, Lauren Delgado, Nelia Delija, Larisa Goran, Natasha Tsinonis.
Outlook: Stacey Delgado and Madalinski are the top returning all-arounders for the Warriors. Tsinonis is a promising newcomer who will add depth to Maine West attack in the Central Suburban North.
Leyden
Coach: Jason Orna
Varsity gymnasts: Jenna Urbaniak, Elizabeth Reed, Tina Vasquez, Kara Urbaniak.
Outlook: Maine West will miss all-around gymnast Khrystyna Lychagina, who took third at state on the beam. But Jenna Urbaniak is back and was a state qualifier on the vault last season and will lead the Eagles this season in the West Surburban Gold.