Young talent steps forward at Hinsdale Central
Gymnastics is one of the few high school sports where a freshman can step in right away and become the team’s most prolific contributor.
A season ago, freshman Jordyn Penny helped Waubonsie Valley/Metea Valley co-op to its first regional title. On Monday, it was Lyons freshman phenom Kelsy Kurfirst who stole the show, winning vault, bars and floor while scoring a sectional-best 37.9 in the all-around to help Lyons claim the Hinsdale Central sectional title with 144.050 points.
Waubonsie Valley/Metea Valley finished a distant third place with 138.05 points as runner-up Hinsdale Central squeaked ahead of the co-op with a 138.95.
Naperville Central, whose lineup included freshmen specialists Lea Savard and Danielle Breeden, took sixth place with 135.475 points.
Although Waubonsie/Metea won’t be taking its team to state for the first time ever, it’ll be sending three gymnasts once again to Palatine.
Maddie Strick captured second place on bars with a 9.15 and Elizabeth Brandenburg took third place on floor with a 9.3. Both will be making their second consecutive appearance in the finals in the same respective event they qualified in last February. The newcomer to the group is Jessica Malon, who’s battled injuries all season but saw her hard work and dedication pay off with a third-place effort of 8.9 on bars.
“We got off to a nice start on bars so it was good to do that tonight,” Malon said. “I’ve been limited this season with the injuries, but it’s something I’ve learned to deal with.”
The sectional debut of Naperville North freshman Michaela Robert proved to be unforgettable. She qualified on beam with 9.05 as well as the all-around with a 35.975.
“We’re all pretty happy with how things went today,” Robert said. “I just tried my best to do what I did on Saturday (in regional competition).”
She wasn’t the only Huskie to go to awards stand, either, as Kaitlyn Daly took fourth place on vault with a 9.5.
“I’m just really excited with how we did today. I just laid it all out and gave it my all,” she said. “It feels so good. Seeing everyone compete, it’s so fun to watch and to be a part of this.”
Neuqua Valley brought four gymnasts to Hinsdale but none qualified for state. Senior Riley Wypiszenski led the team, taking 16th in the all-around with a 34.125. Freshmen teammates Emily Jacobs (32.6) and Isis Ruff (33.125) also competed in every event.
“I’m not going to lie, because I am a little disappointed,” Neuqua Valley coach Joann Pschigoda said. “I think we could’ve done a little better.”
The Wildcats will do some scoreboard watching later this week to see if any of their scores qualify for at-large berths. One could be Wypiszenski’s 9.325 on vault.
“I think she had her best vault of the season which was great, especially after we had some mishaps on beam,” Pschigoda said. “We’ll see what happens.”
Naperville Central wasn’t as sharp as it was at the Lyons regional on Saturday but that did little to tarnish an exciting season for a young Redhawks team.
“We think we’ll have everyone back next year, although we’re not sure on Jessie (Cruse),” Naperville Central coach Glen Reimers said. “We had some things happen tonight, especially on bars, but then we came back and hit four-of-five on beam. But then Jessie and Vanessa (Henry) fell on floor and Jessie probably had the best chance of making it to state, on floor.”
The top finishes for the Redhawks all came on beam. Henry led the team with an 8.875 to take seventh place while Claire Savard added an 8.85 and Logan Hassler contributed an 8.7