Carmel captures another state title

Lifting the state championship trophy for a second straight year, Carmel Catholic’s girls gymnastics team had cause for celebration Saturday night after the state meet finals at Palatine High School.

Carmel Catholic seniors Lauren Bowles and Dani Clement hoisted the Corsairs’ repeat hardware from atop the awards podium.

“It’s an incredible feeling,” said Bowles, hobbled by injuries but able to make it to the top. Bowles is expected to have screws placed in her big toe this week, and she’s also suffereing from a knee strain suffered during her beam dismount Friday.

“I know there’s so much work and dedication that went into this season,” she said. “We knew what our goal was, and we had high expectations. We knew it would make us stronger, help us come out and give us our best performance.”

Carmel captured the program’s fourth overall title with a 149.45, a full point ahead of Lake Forest (148.45). Schaumburg finished third at 147.8 and Stevenson was fourth at 146.95.

“This year, the girls pulled it together as a team (Friday) to get it done,” said Carmel coach Sarah Doyle, who was also named coach of the year. “We had three of five girls in finals on vault, and to have beam and floor champions, it’s exhilarating. Every one of these girls count as champions.”

The Corsairs’ Kristin Mirski soared to victory on the floor exercise, her first individual championship at state with a 9.775.

“I was just going out there and having fun,” Mirski said. “I went out there with no stress.

“I put all my energy into and toughness through state. This was my chance to show off and do my best. I had a smile on my face the entire time.”

Lake Forest’s Kylie Carlson picked up the second-place medal (9.75) and Libertyville’s Leah Herchenbach was 10th (9.325) on floor.

Carmel’s Lauren Feeley also won her first individual championship, landing top honors on beam with a 9.7.

“It’s really great, and I didn’t expect to see it on beam, either,” Feely said. “It wasn’t one of my strongest. I’ve changed the routine a lot and it didn’t occur to me that I could win it.

“I want to hang this medal in my room. It’s definitely special.”

Stevenson’s Riley Treblico tied for fourth on beam with Lake Forest’s Katherine McKeon (9.425), and the Scouts’ Melanie Foster finished 10th (8.65).

“I feel like I did really good and accomplished something,” Treblico said. “I’m sure this will all sink in more when I get home.”

Feely also stuck a 9.8 on a Yurchenko layout vault, good for second place behind champion Jenny Covers of Prairie Ridge (9.85). Mirski tied for third place with Carolyn Cozza of Lyons at 9.75, and the Corsairs’ Sarah Cohen-Smith finished fifth (9.7).

“My vault was something to look back at,” said Cohen-Smith after receiving her first state individual medal. “I’ve come a long way, coming from a Yurchenko tuck to a pike, and now a layout.”

Stevenson’s Ali Castriano did not compete on vault because of a torn abdominal muscle.

Covers claimed top honors on the bars (9.85), Vernon Hills’ Alli Tran placed sixth on bars with a 9.525 and Jen Zeller of Carmel was 10th (8.775).

“A medal would have been great,” said Tran, a sophomore. “Taking sixth in state was still incredible. Being an underclassman, I expect to be on the podium over the next two years.”

Lake Forest won its first gymnastics trophy in 26 years.

“Both teams are special and very similar,” Lake Forest coach Robin Strauss said. “It was the depth and calmness with the whole team. They just pulled it all together and contributed.”

Caitlin Pagano of Stevenson, who went through a couple of surgeries before the season for a dislocated elbow, was a big part of the Patriots making it back to state this year.

Pagano had been bothered with the flu for a couple of days before the state meet but still was honored as gymnast of the year.

“I was flattered and honored — I didn’t think I was going to win it out of all the seniors,” Pagano said. “I know I have been through a lot. It has only made me stronger.

“It was a disappointing end, but I was happy how the season went.”

Stevenson coach Judy Harwood also was elected into the gymnastics Hall of Fame, and not just for leading the school to five state championships and a couple of second-place finishes over the years.

“It’s meaningful to me because it’s voted on by all the other coaches,” said Harwood, who has been the Patriots’ head coach for the last 22 years and has coached for a total of 34 years. “If the girls won an award, then yeah, we won state. But, this award, (coaches) appreciate what I do better than anybody else. It means a lot to me and it’s a high point in my career.

“I feel like I’ve become a dinosaur and become part of the history of gymnastics. It’s a great compliment and I feel like I got into a good school that supports gymnastics.”