High point for Conant duo

Conant senior Mel Meyrick and junior Bailey Bloom were both looking for a bit of redemption at the girls gymnastics state meet at Palatine High School on Friday afternoon.

Last year Meyrick advanced to finals on beam, securing a fifth-place medal. But she missed advancing to finals by one spot on vault and also was denied a spot in final on the floor.

Bloom also missed advancing to the finals - by one spot on beam.

Meyrick and Bloom both erased those disappointments on Friday and made good on their second chances.

Meyrick tied for eighth place in Friday's preliminaries on the floor (9.425) and ended her day by securing the final qualifying spot on vault (9.6) by taking 10th place.

Bloom followed Meyrick's lead by taking ninth place on beam (9.175) and securing her spot in Saturday's finals.

"Last year they both were so close," said Conant coach Anthony Avella of the pair's near misses. "But they made it count this year, I am very proud of their performance."

Finals for individual events and team trophies will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday at Palatine.

Prairie Ridge co-op pretty much secured a third consecutive state title by scoring a 148.70 on Friday and taking a commanding lead over second-place DeKalb (146.875) and third-place Glenbrook South (146.575).

Carmel (145.125) and New Trier (144.95) round out the top five.

Conant, making its first state appearance since 2007, is currently in seventh place with 143.875.

Prairie Ridge co-op senior Nikki Baars captured the all-around title with a 38.075, followed by Glenbrook South senior Hannah Hartley (38.025).

Geneva senior Claire Ginsberg, who won the all-around title in 2014, and Glenbard West sophomore Maddie Diab, the defending all-around champion, tied for third place with 38.0 points. DeKalb senior Aleah Leman (37.85) secured fifth place.

Meyrick had a bit of unfinished business to take care of on Friday. The senior's near misses last year motivated her for Friday's preliminaries and she made good on both the floor and vault.

"Warm-ups weren't good," said Meyrick, who finished 14th in the all-around competition. "But I came through when I needed to."

The Cougars standout had a flawless floor routine and then scored big on her Yurchenko layout to cap her day.

"It was really hot, but I just wanted to show what I could do," said Meyrick of her performance.

Bloom waited patiently last year as she kept dropping in the standing for the beam preliminaries and she had to wait once again on Friday. But the results were much different this year.

"It's really exciting," said Bloom, who admitted she did not watch the score this year. "I'm happy I made it and tomorrow I just want to go in with the same confidence I had today."

Conant had a solid day but saved its best performance for its final event on the vault.

Senior Mariana Vazquez-Rosas started the Cougars rolling on vault by scoring a 9.225. Freshman Julia Betts (9.0) and freshman Kennedy O'Connor (9.20) kept things rolling, with Meyrick ending the day with her big vault.

"It was really exciting and it was great to be here with my team," said O'Connor, who started her season on the sideline with a hyperextended elbow. "Just being able to come out and contribute was big."

Fremd junior Abby Moran also had to play the waiting game on Friday. The Vikings junior tied for 10th place on beam (9.125), but had to wait the final three rotations before her spot in Saturday's finals was secure.

"There was no pressure - I just wanted go out and perform," said Moran of her beam performance. "My floor performance wasn't the best but beam I was pretty solid."

Fremd junior Melanie Ng added a solid bar performance (9.025) for the Vikings.

Rolling Meadows freshman Nicole Kane also had a pretty strong night, placing 13th on bars (9.225).

"I just wanted to approach the meet and have fun, since it was my first year," said Kane. "I can definitely learn from this meet and use it next year."

Senior Victoria Zervos had strong showing on vault (9.125) for the Mustangs.

"It's been a long couple years, but I wouldn't have wanted it to end any other way than at the state meet," said Zervos, who had injuries end her two previous season and derail her state dreams.

Palatine junior Abby Amato had a shaky opening on beam at her first state meet, but she rebounded in a big way on vault (9.025), bars (8.875) and floor (9.05).

"I had a rough start on beam, but it was really cool to just go out there and compete," said Amato. "Knowing I came this far this year, I'm looking at doing the same thing next year."

Palatine senior Kara Ure ended her career on a high note with a solid floor routine (9.2).

"I was just really happy to be here," said Ure, who tied for the 11th and last at-large spot on floor to secure her first state appearance. "I just wanted to get out there and do my best in my last meet."

Hersey senior Maggie Barton also ended on a high note, taking 21st in the all-around aided by a solid floor (9.325).

"It was real exciting," said Barton, "My goal all season was just to qualify for all-around."

Senior Alli Heidrich (8.5) and junior Mackenzie Kamysz (8.6) were solid for the Huskies on beam.

Barrington freshman Ashley Diaz had a solid bars (8.95) and freshman Lauren Tenbrunsel (9.2) had a nice floor for the Fillies.