Doyle, Carmel hoping for third title
Carmel Catholic’s girls gymnastics team has shown the ability to out-perform the state’s top competition the last two season, taking home championships each time.
The Corsairs managed a similar run 20 years ago, winning consecutive titles in 1992 and ’93.
The common thread in Carmel’s dual era of greatness is coach Sarah (Mikrut) Doyle, who was part of the first championships as a gymnast, and the last two as coach.
Doyle had twins in April, after the Corsairs claimed their most recent championship in February.
Everything appears to be in twos right now for Doyle, as both children were girls.
“At first, knowing we were going to have twins, we were thinking of naming them Pete and Repeat,” said Doyle. “But we had girls and decided on Marilyn and Brooklyn.”
Expect the Corsairs to break out of the terrific twos and make a run at a third title in a few months. Most consider Carmel to be the state front-runner for a three-peat.
“We do have a lot of talent again,” Doyle said. “We lost some seniors from last year and we’re concerned about our depth. You have to have some luck, divine intervention and stay healthy.
“The girls have improved their skills from last year and are stronger. This area is loaded with a lot of talent.”
Patriot leaders: Taking on lead roles will be of utmost importance for seniors Ali Castriano and Therese Wojton for Stevenson. Both enter their fourth year on the varsity with loads of lot of state experience, which they hope will benefit the whole team.
“I see more responsibility for this year,” Castriano said. “I think the leadership means a lot more because of that.
“We want to be role models for the new freshmen coming in. We want to show them what it’s like to be a good team — to have fun, relax and have confidence.”
Just being a senior is an adjustment for Wojton.
“It takes a little bit to get used to,” Wojton said. “You have to find a way to handle it. It’s a matter of learning how to do it. I’m just ready to have a fun year and put it all out there this year.”
The Patriots will be a lot healthier starting out this year, and they’re encouraged by their early results.
“We are more connected this year and have started off more as a team,” Castriano said. “We did a lot more last year than expected, and we are ahead of last year.”
Big picture: Lake Forest, which last year finished behind Carmel, could join Stevenson with a run at the top spot again. Libertyville and its several returning gymnasts could also make a bid for state by February.
Mundelein should me an improved team this year with some experience returning and the addition coach Nancy Toland’s daughter Kelsey, a freshman.
There will be new coaches at Warren and Vernon Hills. Mary Hankovsky, who a four-year collegiate gymnast, takes over for the Blue Devils, and Alison (Galatte) Gildemeister returns to the area to coach the Cougars. Gildemeister is a former Stevenson gymnast.
Carmel Catholic
Coach: Sarah Doyle (11th year)
Top gymnasts lost: Lauren Bowles and Dani Clement.
Top gymnasts returning: Kristin Mirski (Sr.), Jen Zeller (Sr.), Anna Brandmeier (Sr.), Sarah Cohen-Smith (Jr.), Kari Osowski (Jr.), Lauren Feeley (Jr.)
Outlook: Carmel has brought home state championships for two straight years and could add another in February. Both team unity and the skill level are in place to do it. “We hope for continued improvement from each team member,” Carmel coach Sarah Doyle said. “They each have goals set for the team and personal goals. What I love about this team is that they really just focus on being the best they can be individually, in order to contribute the most possible to their team. They want to be their best for each other.”
It’s a fact: This year marks the 20th anniversary of Carmel’s first state championship in 1992
Libertyville
Coach: John Taylor (third year)
Top gymnasts graduated: Leah Herchenbach (Wis.-Oshkosh)
Top gymnasts returning: Lindsay Schweitzer (Sr.), Tori Metcalf (Sr.), Jenna Dunsing (Jr.), Mariah Lee (So.), Grace Boyer (So.), Rachael Metcalf (So.).
Outlook: Libertyville has experience, with six returning varsity gymnasts this season, and hopes to use that to challenge some of the other teams in the area. “We can expect to create some tough competition in the Lake County area,” LIbertyville coach John Taylor said. “The varsity girls have been working extremely hard in the off-season and are working on a variety of new skills to put into their routines this season.”
Mundelein
Coach: Nancy Toland (12th year)
Top gymnasts lost: Emily Tylka
Top gymnasts returning: Lisa Wajswol (Sr.), Laura Azzarello (Jr.), Kendall Smith (Jr.), and Katie Schall (Jr.), Maya Nienaber (So.)
Newcomers: Mackenzie Kehr (Fr.), Kelsey Toland (Fr.) and Nicole Ornoff (Fr.)
Outlook: Expectations for the Mustangs are at a higher level this winter. “We expect three to four individuals qualifying for our team score that will improve from last year, Mundelein coach Nancy Toland said. “Our team will be young, with one senior, but we will have a very promising future.”
It’s a fact: Coach Toland will have her daughter Kelsey on the team this year.
Stevenson
Coach: Judy Harwood (22nd year).
Top gymnasts lost: Carlie Dobkin, Amanda Hollub, Caitlin Pagano.
Top gymnasts returning: Ali Castriano, (Sr.), Dani Webb (Sr.), Therese Wojton (Sr.), Rebecca Feltman-Frank (Jr.), Riley Treblico (Jr.).
Newcomers: Elizabeth Shank (Fr.) and Alyssa Weisberg (Fr.)
Outlook: Stevenson lost Caitlin Pagano to graduate but still has leadership with Ali Castriano and Therese Wojton showing the way. Add in a couple of young gymnasts, and the outlook’s bright for the Pats. Stevenson has tradition on its side and is looking for another trip to the state meet. “I expect us to improve as the season goes on,” Stevenson coach Judy Harwood said. “We do have leadership back, plus a couple of freshman. It will have to be by a group effort this year. We should be able to be among the top 12 teams in the state.”
It’s a fact: Stevenson has won over 100 dual meets in its history.
Vernon Hills:
Coach: Alison Gildemeister (first year)
Top gymnasts lost: none
Top gymnasts returning: Amber Egan (Jr.), Julia Gartsman (Jr.) Sarah Lopez (Jr.), Alli Tran (Jr.), Izzt Tatt (So). Outlook: Denise Caton stepped down as coach to spend time with newborn son this past June. Alison (Galatte) Gildemeister, a former Stevenson gymnast who graduated in 1994, has taken on the coaching position. Gildemeister had coached as an assistant over the last 10 years at Lake Forest, Downers Grove South and Glenbrook South. “It’s nice to start fresh and do things my own way, but it’s all new,” Gildemeister said. “I’m expecting some improvement from last year and progress. I’d like to see some girls reach state.”
It’s a fact: Vernon Hills reached the state meet and finished fifth 10 years ago.
Warren
Coach: Mary Hankosky (first year)
Top gymnasts lost: none
Top gymnasts returning: Alison Rossman (Sr.), Shay Bergman (Jr.), Krystal Kofeld (Jr.), Becky Stochl (Jr.), Kelsey Stoecker (Jr.).
Newcomers: Kyra McCue (Fr.)
Outlook: New coach Mary Hankovsky, who recently was a four-year gymnast at Illinois State, takes over for Christy Worth. The Blue Devils will start the season with a young team but look to improve throughout the season. “I expect the team to improve meet by meet, individually and with team scores,” Hankovsky said. “Our juniors should step up and be team leaders and are hard workers.”
It’s a fact: Ashley Alden was the all-around champion for Warren in the 2001 state meet.