Radochonski, Fremd returning to form

Fremd's Lisa Radochonski has waited patiently on the sidelines the past two years to show her skills after suffering a pair season-ending injuries, including a torn ACL last year.

But the Viking senior's wait has ended.

Radochonski was back in form on Tuesday night, helping Fremd to a 140.65-132.55 Mid-Suburban West girls gymnastics dual meet victory over host Conant in Hoffman Estates.

Radochonski took second on the bars (9.05) and all-around (36.10) and secured third place on the vault (9.2), balance beam (8.45) and floor (9.4).

"It feels amazing," said Radochonski. "I haven't competed in so long. It just feels great being on the floor and hearing my team cheering, the team has been so supportive and optimistic through all the injuries."

"It's great to have her back after two major surgeries," said Fremd coach Elise Ference-Saisi. "We're playing it safe with her right now, but we'll keeping adding skills."

Fremd has won three consecutive third-place trophies at the state meet, but after losing a trio of seniors from last year the Vikings are still searching for answers.They took a step forward on Tuesday - especially on floor exercise, where senior Carly DeFilippo took first with an impressive 9.65.

Sophomore Abby Moran added second-place finish on floor (9.5) and senior Grace Korn took fifth place (8.9).

"We've had a rough start," said DeFilippo. "But we definitely felt the energy on the floor tonight."

DeFilippo also added a second-place finish on the vault (9.3) and a third-place finish in the all-around (35.35).

Korn provided a third-place finish on the bars (8.9), with senior Maggie Betti adding a second-place effort on beam (8.5)

"We're going to take it one step at a time," said Radochonski, "We just have to keep working hard and keep climbing."

Conant junior Mel Meyrick has definitely been climbing. The Cougars junior has made quite an impression in her first season of high school gymnastics.

Meyrick set the tone on Tuesday by taking first in the all-around (36.6), vault (9.35), bars (9.1), and beam (9.15) in pacing a Cougars attack that was missing sophomore Bailey Bloom due to an ankle injury.

"She has been stellar," said Conant coach Anthony Avella of Meyrick's performance. "She has been working really hard in the gym and it is paying off. When the competition starts, she turns it on."

Meyrick started her night by using a Yurchenko Pike to win the vault, and then kept it clean on the bars and beam. Her only blemish was a stumble on her final pass on the floor.

"It's been different, but it's been fun," said Meyrick who competed on the club level the past two seasons. "The team has been very supportive and I've been getting more comfortable each meet."

Senior Baily Hornstein added a fourth-place finish on the beam (8.25) and all-around (32.5) to support a much improved Cougars attack.

Barrington d. Hoffman Estates: Senior Abby Hasanov won all four events, with junior teammates Hayley Nilles and Rachel Timperman taking the No. 2 spots as the Fillies 143.10 to top Hoffman Estates (119.35).

Hasanov's top effort came on vault (9.8). She won the all-round with a total of 38.65.

Timperman placed second on vault (8.8) and floor exercise (8.9), and Nilles was second on bars (9.3) and beam (8.9).

Hoffman Estates freshman Abigail Fuscone placed third in all-around at 31.25.