Schaumburg rolls to regional title
For the first two months of the season Schaumburg and senior Brooke Shimon have had an edge that led the Saxons to their first Mid-Suburban League girls gymnastics title.
Shimon flashed that sharpness on her first two events Thursday night at the Schaumburg regional, but the senior had a pair of falls on the floor, causing a bit of concern.
But Shimon silenced the alarms by nailing and taking first on her final event, the balance beam (9.5), to lead Schaumburg to its second consecutive regional title and ninth in its history with 144.65 points.
Rolling Meadows (128.675) took second, followed by Glenbrook South (125.25) and Maine East (11.825).
Schaumburg advances to the Niles North sectional next Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
“I think I was just too comfortable on floor, it was kind of a shock,” said Shimon, who finished third in the all-around (36.65), adding a first on the vault (9.475) and a second on the bars (9.575). “After the floor I wasn’t going to let anything else get in my way”
Junior Ashley Miller won the all-around in the MSL last Friday, and the junior had no letdown on Thursday, taking first with a 37.475. Miller added a first on the bars (9.575), a second on the beam (9.325) and a pair of third-place finishes on the vault (9.325) and floor (9.25) in a solid all-around performance.
“My confidence is really good right now,” added Miller of her performance. “Practice has really been paying off and I’m hitting my events.”
Sophomore Erin Barrett took second on the floor (9.275) and fifth on the beam (9.025). Senior Caitlin Barrett added a fifth on the bars (9.05) to help stabilize a steady Saxons’ attack that lost a bit of its edge on the floor.
“For some reason we were a bit tight on the floor,” said Schaumburg coach Jami Stilling of an uncharacteristic 35.0 on the event. “But I’m really proud of how they recovered and how they came back on the beam.”
And just like that — the Saxons had their edge back again.
Sophomore Abby Madden (36.675) and junior Jordyn Madden (36.075) went 2-5 in the all-around to power St. Edward.
Both Abby and Jordyn were state qualifiers last season for the Green Wave and the duo flashed their state potential on Thursday.
Abby took first on the floor (9.35), second on the vault (9.4) and tied Jordyn for third on the beam (9.05).
“I was a bit nervous coming into the floor, because I just added a routine,” said Abby, who was able to pull it together. “But I came out and was able to hit and I was happy with it.”
Jordyn added a pair of fourth-place finishes on the vault (9.3) and bars ( 9.15) to complement her sister’s performance.
“I was a bit shaky,” said Jordyn who was able to shake off the rust of a two week lay-off. “But I think we’re getting our focus back.”
Rolling Meadows junior Lauren Cerza added a fourth place finish on the floor (8.8).
“I’ve really been working hard and adding new tricks,” added Cerza of her performance. “I’m looking to improve my dancing and hoping for a state berth.”
Glenbrook South junior Nora Landri took fourth in the all-around (36.125). She was third on the bars (9.2) and had a pair of fifth-place finishes on the vault (9.175) and floor (8.775).