Girls gymnastics / Scouting Northwest
Girls gymnastics state meet / Northwest preview
When: Today, session I 5:05 p.m. (preliminaries in the individual events and finals in all-around) doors open at 4 p.m.; Saturday session II 5:45 p.m. (championship finals in individual events/team).
Where: Palatine High School
Change in schedule: Last year there were two sessions for preliminaries in individual events, this year there will only be one session and all four events will be running simultaneously.
Automatic team qualifiers: Carmel (151.60), Schaumburg (147.40), Hinsdale Central (146.475), and Glenbard West (145.70).
At-large team qualifiers: Lake Forest (147.60), Fremd (146.575), Hinsdale Central (146.475), Prairie Ridge Co-op (144.975).
Team outlook: Carmel seemed to separate itself from the pack with its performance at the Stevenson sectional, and the defending state champs look ready to defend their title. Sophomore Lauren Feely and junior Kristin Mirski went 2-3 in the all-around at the sectionals to lead a deep Corsairs attack. If there is one team that can challenge the Corsairs it’s 2009 state champion Stevenson. Senior Caitlin Pagano and junior Alison Castriano lead a Patriot team that defeated Carmel at the Lake County Invitational in January. Lake Forest (149.55), Schaumburg (147.40), Hinsdale Central (147.25), Glenbard West (147.35), Fremd (146.875), and Prairie Ridge (146.375) have all scored more than 146.0 this season and all have a realistic shot at a trophy.
Local focus
Schaumburg: Senior Brooke Shimon and junior Ashley Miller have paced the Saxons in a record-breaking year which included winning their first Mid-Suburban League Meet and first sectional. Schaumburg seems to be peaking at the right time, having hit a school record 147.40 at the Niles North sectional. Senior Caitlin Barrett and sophomore Erin Barrett also have added to the Saxons’ charge. The key to Schaumburg’s sectional victory was its performance on beam; that set the tone for the night. The Saxons are looking for the same type of start at the state meet. Junior Christine Peterson, sophomore Amanda Sigler, and freshman Kat Young will also aid the Saxons’ attack.
Fremd: Injuries have dogged the Vikings the last two seasons. Last year, then-freshmen Anna Johnson (broken talus bone) and Stephanie Gallo (dislocated left elbow) missed the entire season due to injuries, and Shannon Lemajeur joined the injury ranks with a torn ACL. Despite the injuries the Vikings were still able to secure third place and the program’s 20th overall state trophy. Unfortunately Fremd picked up where they left off last season with injuries, and suffered another setback on Monday when freshman Christine Jensen broke her ankle and had surgery on Tuesday night. The Vikings lost senior Alyssia Van Duch in December to a torn ACL in her left knee. “The injury bug has really bit us the past few years,” added Fremd coach Jim Guest. “But they have two choices — they can stay down or get back up.” The Vikings have shown the past two years they are a resilient bunch. Senior Maegan Wochinski has set the tone for the Vikings this season, and junior twins Elizabeth and Stephanie Uhrich came up big at the sectionals. Senior Kelsey Onesto also came through to aid the Vikings’ attack, especially on beam. Sophomore Gallo and Johnson are also healthy this season and have contributed. Johnson was in a wheelchair for eight weeks last season after her opening night injury and has made a spectacular comeback this season. Sophomore Emily Pinderski has also steadied the Vikings’ attack, and has added some major points on the bars. Don’t count this group out, especially with Wochinski leading the charge.
Top sectional scores
Vault: Jessica Morreale, sr. (Dekalb) 9.90; Uneven bars: Jenny Covers, sr. (Prairie Ridge Co-op) 9.825; balance beam: Jordyn Penny, fr. (Waubonsie Valley Co-op) 9.675; floor: Kristin Mirski, jr. (Carmel) 9.8; all-around: Jenny Covers, sr. (Prairie Ridge Co-op) 38.8750.
Individual Events (area qualifiers):
Vault: Abby Madden (St. Edward), Jenna Urbaniak (Leyden), Ashley Miller (Schaumburg), Maegen Wochinski (Fremd), Brie Bibel (Conant), Jordyn Madden (St. Edwards), Nicole Kuksuk (Palatine), Stephanie Gallo (Fremd).
Outlook: Abby Madden has really stepped up this season and the St. Edward sophomore has performed like a seasoned veteran. Madden finished second at the Niles North sectional and will be seeking her first state medal this weekend. Miller and Wochinski also hit big at the sectionals. Prairie Ridge senior Jenny Covers will be shooting for her third consecutive state title on the vault.
Bars: Brooke Shimon (Schaumburg), Maegen Wochinski (Fremd), Stephanie Uhrich (Fremd), Lauren Johnson (Prospect), Abby Madden (St. Edwards), Jenna Urbaniak (Leyden), Ashley Miller (Schaumburg), Caitlin Barrett (Schaumburg), Brie Bibel (Conant).
Outlook: Covers holds the top sectional mark and will be tough to beat. Shimon had a solid beam at taking first at the Niles North sectional, and Wochinski has been steady all season. Johnson has come back from a broken foot to start the season in qualifying for the state meet for Prospect. Miller had a fall on her dismount at sectionals after tweaking her knee in practice, but the junior has one of best routines in state.
Beam: Brooke Shimon (Schaumburg), Nicole Kuksuk (Palatine), Maegan Wochinski (Fremd), Ashley Miller (Schaumburg), Gianna Scala (Prospect), Stephanie Uhrich (Fremd), Erin Barrett (Schaumburg), Abby Madden (St. Edwards), Nicole Barba (Palatine), Caitlin Barrett (Schaumburg), Kelsey Onesto (Fremd).
Outlook: Kuksuk finished first on beam at the MSL meet and continued to hit by tying for fourth at the sectionals. The Pirates sophomore has had a breakout season and seems in her comfort zone on the beam. Shimon, after a few shaky performances in mid-season, hit her stride at the regional and sectional meets. Barba has come back from a broken ankle last season to secure her first state berth. Stevenson junior Ali Castriano is the defending state champion.
Floor: Gianna Scala (Prospect), Amelia Rafferty (Elk Grove), Lexi Marsella (Barrington), Nicole Kuksuk (Palatine), Maegen Wochinski (Fremd), Abby Madden (St. Edwards), Elizabeth Uhrich (Fremd), Ashley Miller (Schaumburg).
Outlook: Scala (9.625) and Rafferty (9.50) come in with the third and fourth best sectional marks. Scala (9.55) and Rafferty (9.425) also went 1-2 at the MSL meet, now the freshman duo is looking to show their talent at state. Scala’s tumbling passes are breathtaking, while Rafferty routine is very polished. Marsella also has a quality floor routine; the Barrington senior qualified for state on the vault as a sophomore, but a broken ankle three days before last year’s sectionals wiped out her state aspirations. Marsella has the talent to make to the finals and is looking to go out with a bang. Covers is the defending state champion and Carmel junior Kristin Mirski enters with the top sectional mark.
All-around: Maegan Wochinski (Fremd), Brooke Shimon (Schaumburg), Nicole Kuksuk (Palatine), Abby Madden (St. Edwards), Ashley Miller (Schaumburg), Brie Bibel (Conant), Gianna Scala (Prospect), Jenna Urbaniak (Leyden).
Outlook: Covers has come on strong during the post season, and the 2009 all-around state champion is a strong favorite to add her second title. But Carmel’s duo of Lauren Feely and Mirski, along with Hinsdale Central junior Kristin Grilli will offer a stiff challenge. Wochinski has been consistent all season and is a threat to make the finals, while Shimon and Miller can’t be overlooked. Bibel has had solid first year, and the Conant freshman is only going to get better.