St. Edward’s Madden sisters on state course
They have a total of three state finals appearances between the two of them.
So at this stage of the game, St. Edward girls gymnastics sister standouts Jordyn and Abby Madden are in the refining mode in terms of their various routines.
“Both of them came in more relaxed in competitions this year,” St. Edward coach Doug Bucholz said. “They know a lot of their strengths from the previous year and have worked on their weaknesses.”
The Maddens will look to make that state finals appearance total jump to five between them Thursday at the Niles North sectional. The top five finishers in each event and the top five all-around scores automatically advance to next weekend’s state finals at Palatine High School.
Jordyn, a junior and two-time state qualifier, automatically qualified for the sectional on vault, bars, beam and in the all-around, while Abby, a sophomore, automatically qualified on vault, beam, floor and in the all-around.
One area the sisters have really honed in on this year is their floor routines.
“Last year I did the routine I have done the last four years,” Jordyn Madden said. “It was all cutesy and kiddish. My scores were OK, but I knew I could be better if I danced more and had my own personality in it.”
“Mine was seventh grade-ish,” Abby Madden laughed. “Now it’s my personality and the music I like.”
The sisters, who compete as individuals for St. Edward, were aided in their choreography by South Elgin High School student Kelly Nowak.
“She really helped us,” Jordyn Madden said. “She came up with more twirly routines and better music. She’s awesome. My floor has improved a lot. I used to be 8.8 and now I’m getting 9.2s and 9.3s.”
Abby Madden won the floor exercise regional title last week.
Jordyn Madden said her bars routine has improved the most this season.
“I’m getting more 9s there this year,” she said. “I’m concentrating on my form. Last year I was happy to get through the routine and not fall. Now I make sure my form is good and I stick my landings. I’m trying to perfect it.”
Abby Madden also said her bars routine has improved the most, but has some of her attention focused squarely the vault.
“I worked on a new vault routine last year and was bummed I didn’t make it to the state finals,” Abby Madden said. “Vault is what we’re really good at. I’ve worked on a Yurchenko half-flip that is worth a 10.0. It’s a higher start value. If I get it down I can get a high score. I’m only going to do that if I make it to state.”
“I qualified for state finals freshman year on vault (she finished eighth),” Jordyn Madden said. “I’m working to open it up more and get a higher score.”
The three-sport sisters (they both also play volleyball and soccer) both have the same short-term goals in mind.
“I know what to expect and what to aim for and focus on,” said Jordyn Madden, who along with her sister is a straight-A student at St. Edward (both sisters are National Honor Society members). “I want to go (to state) for everything — all events.”
“I want to qualify in all events and the all-around,” Abby Madden said.
Bucholz marvels at the sisters’ success given their full plates in athletics and academics.
“It’s great to coach them,” Bucholz said. “They are three-sport athletes and they are able to maintain this level of gymnastics. It’s another incredible thing they do.”