Schaumburg sharpens up at Barrington

Senior Brooke Shimon and junior Ashley Miller give Schaumburg a pretty tough 1-2 punch in girls gymnastics.

The Saxons duo offered a glimpse of their potential on Tuesday night.

Shimon (36.65) and Miller (36.10) went 1-2 in the all-around to lead Schaumburg to an impressive 142.4-133.2 Mid-Suburban League West duel meet victory over visiting Barrington.

“I'm really proud of how we did today,” said Schaumburg coach Jami Stilling. “We're not where we need to be and we're watering things down, but we're still scoring well. We know the second part of the season is where we need to focus on.”

But Shimon and Miller look to be in top form.

Shimon took first on the bars (9.25) and beam (9.2), adding a second on the floor (9.2) and tying Miller for second on the vault (9.0).

It was Shimon's second consecutive solid performance, and the senior is brimming with confidence.

“I don't have all the difficulties in my routines yet, but it's good to get out there and hit them,” said Shimon who had no falls. “I'm happy with where we are right now, but I can't wait to see where we end up.”

Miller shook off a shaky start to the season by taking first on the floor (9.4), second on the bars (9.2), and tying for third on the beam (8.5).

The junior flashed her Tkachev release on the bars and had clean night except for one fall on the beam.

“We're getting there,” said Miller of the Saxons' progress. “Our main focus this year is to qualify to state as a team, and we're off to a good start.”

Sophomore Erin Barrett added to the Saxons' effort by taking second on beam (9.0) and tying for third on floor (9.15), with Caitlin Barrett tying for third on beam (8.5).

Senior Lexi Marsella took third in the all-around (35.4) to lead a Barrington team that was performing under difficult circumstances.

The Barrington team learned before the meet that coach Jason Loeffler's father Alan had passed away.

“It was a rough meet today,” said Marsella who took first on the vault (9.05) and took third on the bars (8.7), floor (9.15), and beam (8.5). “Jason is one of the closest coaches I've ever had, and it's hard to have someone you really look up to hurting so much.”

Assistant coach Nancy Smarinski took over the team in Jason's absence.

“They dedicated this meet to Jason's dad,” added Smarinski. “They we're devastated when they heard the news, but they were able to regroup and I'm really proud of them.”

Freshman Line Leedstrom added a fifth-place finish for the Fillies in the all-around (33.05).