PR poised for repeat; Barrington's Hasanov takes 2nd in all-around
Prairie Ridge co-op is one step closer to earning its second consecutive girls gymnastics state title.
Senior Maddie Solka and junior Nikki Baars provided Prairie Ridge co-op with a solid 1-2 punch in leading the Wolves to a score of 150.225 points after Friday's high school state meet preliminaries at Palatine High School.
The mark puts Prairie Ridge co-op in firm control for its second straight title, with DeKalb co-op (147.975 points) in second, followed by Carmel (146.775).
Glenbard West (145.825 points) and Lake Park (144.425) round out the top five, with Barrington (144.05) and Fremd (143.775) in sixth and seventh place.
Barrington senior Abby Hasanov impressed by taking second in the all-around (38.20), looking strong from start to finish and advancing to Saturday finals in all four events.
Glenbard West freshman Maddie Diab won the all-around title by hitting an impressive 38.20.
Prairie Ridge looked impressive from start to finish in delivering its second-best mark of the season.
Solka started the night with a fall on the beam, but the Cary-Grove senior came back strong, tying for first on the floor (9.7), hitting the fourth-best mark on the vault (9.725) and finishing her night by tying for the top mark on bars (9.725). Despite a fall on beam, she still finished fifth in the all-around (37.85).
"It was good to end strong, especially on floor," said Solka. "150 is a mark we always want to hit, and things have been coming together at the end of the season."
Baars also had a special night for the Wolves. She started the night with a second-place finish on beam (9.45), added a fifth-place finish on floor (9.6), an eighth-place finish on vault (9.525) and finished her evening with a seventh-place finish on bars (9.375).
Baars tied for third in the all-around (37.85).
"Once we hit on beam we definitely got a shot of adrenaline," said Baars. "I think the whole team came in ready tonight and it showed."
Junior Liz Sysol also advanced for Prairie Ridge co-op with an eighth-place finish on bars (9.25).
Hasanov gave Barrington a big lift with her second-place finish in the all-around.
The Fillies senior was definitely sharp on Friday, tying for the top mark on floor (9.7), getting the third-best mark on vault (9.75), tying for fourth-best on bars (9.425) and a seventh-place finish on beam (9.3).
"I felt really confident and really on," said Hasanov. "I was in a zone, I just want to end on a good note."
Hasanov who won the floor exercise state title last season, once again was in top form.
"After the beam I felt really confident going onto the floor, and it just felt good," said Hasanov.
Rolling Meadows senior Kelly Johnston also took a step forward advancing on the beam (9.35), tying for fifth place.
Johnston won the beam title last season and is eager for another shot on Saturday.
"It just feels good to advance to finals," said Johnston of her final event. "There is pressure for tomorrow, but I kind of feed off that."
Conant junior Melynda Meyrick also advanced on beam, tying for seventh with 9.3.
Junior Rachel Timperman gave Barrington a lift on the beam (9.025) and senior Molly Blanke added a solid vault (9.375) for the Fillies.
"We started off on beam really well, but had a few hiccups," said Barrington coach Jason Loeffler.
Carly DeFilippo gave Fremd a lift on vault (9.425), with Lisa Radochonski aiding the Vikings' effort on vault (9.275), bars (9.05), and floor (9.225).
"The girls have fought tooth and nail this season and I'm very proud of them," said Fremd coach Elise Ference-Saisi. "The seniors did a great job of carrying this team."
Saturday's finals will begin at 5:45 p.m. at Palatine High School.