Improving Conant hangs on to victory
Conant started fast and Schaumburg ended strong, but the Cougars were able to survive a late charge by the host Saxons. Conant set the tone early on the floor (35.3) and vault (35.10) to nip Schaumburg 137.85-137.45 in a Mid-Suburban League girls gymnastics triangular Wednesday.
Buffalo Grove secured third place with 126.65 points. Both Conant and Schaumburg hit season-high scores.
Sophomore Meicie Bennett (9.25) took second on the floor in helping Conant set the early pace, and sophomore Bri Bibel (9.45) and junior Sarah Starzynski (9.2) went 1-2 on the vault in adding to the Cougars’ early surge.
“We had great momentum at the beginning,” said Conant coach Lorel Cunningham. “They’ve been working really hard in the gym and it’s paying off.”
Bennett (36.65) and Starzynski (35.35) went 2-3 in the all-around to bolster the Cougars. Bibel, who was limited to two events due to a back injury, made the most of her opportunities.
“Everyone has been stepping up for the team,” said Starzynski, who also took third on beam (8.6) and fourth on bars (8.55). “I’m excited to see how much better we can get.”
And the Cougars’ attack should be aided by healthy Bibel. The sophomore hit a pike-Tsuk in taking first on the vault.
“It hurts a lot, but I’m trying to not think about it,” said Bibel of her injury. “We did really well today, and we’re just going to keep working hard.”
Bennett stepped up big for the Cougars adding a second-place finish on the bars (8.75) and beam (9.0), and sophomore Rachel Tong added a third-place finish on bars (8.65).
Conant needed every point, especially with Schaumburg junior Erin Barrett taking first in the all-around (36.65).
Barrett also took first on the beam (9.6), bars (8.9), and floor (9.35).
“We’re coming along great,” said Barrett. “We keep setting new goals at each meet, and we’ve been hitting.”
The Saxons were really hitting on the floor, scoring an impressive 36.05, with freshman Tarah Schomer (9.15) taking third.
“I knew I had to stick it for my team,” said Schomer, who also took added a third-place finish on the vault (8.85). “I just want to keep doing better so I can help the team score.”
Buffalo Grove’s Katie Strack missed her junior season due to a left knee injury, but the Bison senior showed no rust in taking fourth on the floor (9.10) on Wednesday.
“It’s great to be back,” added Strack, “I felt I’d be rusty coming back, but I feel like I’m in the groove now.”
Junior Margie Reilly added a fourth-place finish for the Bisons on the beam (8.4).