New look, same strong results for Fremd
The Fremd girls gymnastics team has a new coach, and the Vikings lost their top all-around gymnast from last year’s team.
But it sure seems to be business as usual for Fremd this season.
The Vikings had a few hiccups Wednesday, but they were in full control in a 143.60-135.10 Mid-Suburban West victory at Schaumburg.
Junior Shannon Lemajeur had a fall on the bars to open the meet but came back strong to take second in the all-around (35.60).
Lemajeur took first on the vault (9.3) and floor (9.1), adding a second-place finish on the beam (9.15) to power an experienced and deep Vikings attack.
“It nice to get that score,” said first-year Fremd coach Tim Hamman, who took over the reigns from Jim Guest. “But there is a lot to work on. We have a long way to go, and moving forward we need to clean some thing up.”
Fremd lost Meagan Wochinski, the Vikings’ top all-arounder on last year’s team, to graduation.
This year the Vikings will lean on their depth, but Lemajeur showed plenty of promise on Wednesday.
“It’s not one individual this year, we all are leaders,” said Lemajeur. “And we step up when we have to. We’re looking for a positive season.”
Junior Stephanie Gallo added to the Vikings’ effort by tying sophomore teammate Christine Jensen for second on the vault (9.25) and taking third on the bars (9.2).
Jensen added a third-place finish on the beam (8.9), with freshman Sydney Plichta adding an impressive first-place finish on the bars (9.55) and senior Elizabeth Uhrich securing third place on the floor (8.9).
“I think we’re a force to be reckoned with this year,” said Gallo. “Today wasn’t our best meet. We have a lot to work to do, but we’ll get there.”
Junior Erin Barrett led a Schaumburg team that is in transition. Barrett took first in the all-around (36.25) despite a fever and sore throat.
The Saxons junior took first on the beam (9.25), and added second-place finishes on the bars (9.25) and floor (9.0).
“I got through it,” said Barrett, who capped her strong night with a solid floor routine. “I don’t have my full tumbles in yet, but I think I can have a lot of fun with that routine this year.”
Schaumburg lost three of its top gymnasts from last year’s team that took third at the state meet, but the Saxons showed plenty of promise from athletes such as freshman Tarah Schomer, who took fifth on the floor (8.55).
“Definitely need to be patient,” said Schaumburg coach Jami Stilling. “Even last year’s team didn’t start where we finished. We just have to keep working.”