Feely, Carmel feel like winners

Carmel is off to a fast start in girls gymnastics, and the Corsairs are in no hurry to slow down.

The defending state champions started the season by scoring a 149.2 in a triangular meet, and then the Corsairs took first at the Rolling Meadows Invitational.

Carmel kept it going on Saturday by taking first at the 32nd annual Conant Invitational with 112.575 points in Hoffman Estates.

Lake Forest took second with 109.95 points, followed by Schaumburg (108.85 points), Glenbard West (107.225 points) and host Conant (101.88 points).

Each team was allowed four gymnasts in each event, with its top three scores counting.

Sophomore Lauren Feely led the Corsairs by taking first in the all-around (38.25) with junior Kristen Mirski taking fourth in the all-around (37.025).

“They want to be their best for themselves and each other,” said Carmel coach Sarah Doyle. “They want to be the best at each meet they go into and that is something you can't coach.”

Feely has exploded onto the scene in her first season of high school gymnastics. The sophomore, who competed in club last season, has set the pace for the Corsairs.

Feely took first on the bars (9.6) and floor (9.75), added a second on beam (9.4) and finished fifth on vault (9.5).

“I'm feeling right at home,” said Feely of her performance. “I wasn't really expecting too much entering the season, I just wanted to go out there and help my team. We're all motivated and if we keep working hard we can shoot for higher scores.”

“She's a really tough competitor and puts a lot of pressure on herself to be perfect every single time,” said Doyle of Feely's performance. “That's what we're seeing that polish on everything. I think it's rubbing off on everybody.”

Mirski added a second on the vault (9.8) and a third on the beam (9.35), with junior Jen Zeller taking third on the bars (9.15) and fifth on the floor (9.4) to aid the Carmel attack.

Sarah Cohen-Smith took sixth on the vault (9.45), and Lauren Bowles added a fourth on the beam (9.30) to bolster a strong Corsairs performance.

“We just want to continue to work really hard to get where we're going,” said Mirski.

And with the talent the Corsairs have the arrow keeps pointing up.

Lake Forest qualified for its third state meet last season and first since 1985, the Scouts are seeking a return trip this season.

Sophomore Kylie Carlson powered the Scout attack on Saturday by taking third in the all-around (37.05), adding a first on the vault (9.85) and second on the floor (9.7).

“We're trying to build off last year,” said Carlson, who took second on the floor at last year's state meet. “It's nice because we've been there before and we know what we can do. We're just trying to improve on that.”

Schaumburg is seeking its first state appearance, and the Saxons are off to a good start.

Brooke Shimon has battled injuries the past two seasons, but the senior is healthy this season and it has shown.

Shimon took second in the all-around (37.40), taking first on the beam (9.5), third on the floor (9.6), and fifth on the bars (9.0).

“It just adds to my confidence,” said Shimon of performing at full strength. “I don't have to worry about going too easy. Today we did our best and obviously it paid off pretty well.”

“You can just see the way that she approaches the events,” said coach Jami Stilling of Shimon's growing confidence. “Physically she's there and mentally she is right where she needs to be.”

Junior Ashley Miller tied for fifth in the all-around (36.3) adding a fourth on the floor (9.45) and sixth on the bars (8.95) for Schaumburg.

Senior Caitlin Barrett added a 10th-place finish on the bars (8.675) for the Saxons.

“It really helps our confidence,” said Barrett, “knowing that there are state teams here and we finished right up there.”

Last year Becky Mladucky took second at state on the bars, this year the senior returning from a back injury

But Mladucky flashed her potential on Saturday by taking second on the bars (9.25) to lead Glenbard West.

“I'm motivated to do more right now, but I just can't,” said of Mladucky who has been limited to bars and beam so far this season. “As a team we're hoping to stay motivated and keep improving every meet.”

Megan Brennan added a fifth place finish for the Hilltoppers on the beam (9.225), with Nicole Pagor taking seventh on the floor (9.25).

Freshman Brie Bibel took seventh on the vault (9.40) and ninth on the bars (8.725) to lead host Conant to fifth place.

Sophomore Sarah Starzynski added an eighth place finish for an improving Cougar squad on the beam (8.955).

“We had some falls today, but it's nothing we can't fix,” said Bibel. “We have to keep working, but we're getting there.”