Quinn takes state title on bars
A single mistake can devastate the dreams of a gymnast. Another opportunity can resurrect those dreams.
Glenbard North senior Amanda Quinn rarely falls during her floor routine, but she hit the mat during Friday’s preliminaries in the IHSA girls gymnastics finals.
Despite scoring a 9.7 during regionals and a 9.675 at sectionals, Quinn’s hopes for a state title on floor were suddenly over.
Fortunately for Quinn, she still had a chance for a state title on the uneven parallel bars, where she took eighth place a year ago.
Quinn made the most of the final high school performance. She shared top honors with Lyons freshman Kelsy Kurfirst with a 9.6 during Saturday’s individual event championship finals.
“I was really upset yesterday because I knew I had no chance to get on the podium for the all-around,” Quinn said. “So I just gave it everything I had and was really happy it ended well.”
It was a big turnaround.
“For my senior year to end like this is great,” Quinn said. “This is the best ending I could’ve asked for.”
Junior Mariah Matesi was also in action for the Panthers. After performing in the floor exercise, Matesi found herself on the awards stand, placing fourth with a 9.575.
“It was great because I got to support Amanda and she got first place, which was amazing, and then I got to finish,” she said. “I had to go first on floor, which was a little scary, but I still came out fine.”
Hinsdale Central junior Erin Morgan outscored her preliminary on beam, 9.45 to 9.275, and spent a few minutes on the awards stand as well for her fourth-place effort.
“It’s a big honor because I was not expecting to even it make it to finals on beam,” she said. “I really didn’t have any pressure on me and knew it was my last routine of the year, so I went all out.”
York sophomore Meghan Davidson, who finished with an 8.475 on beam in prelims last February, took sixth with her second straight 9.3 in Palatine.
“I was surprised that I got to finals because I knew how tough it can be,” Davidson said. “I’m really proud of myself and of all the girls here.”
Thanks to the efforts of Quinn and Matesi, Glenbard North’s team score increased from 143.45 to 144.550, but the Panthers didn’t move up in the standings, remaining in seventh place.