Fremd's performance is right on the number

Fremd's girls gymnastic team was coming off a big performance in capturing the Mid Suburban League title with a season-best 145.875 last week.

The question entering their own regional was: Could the Vikings maintain that pace?

Seniors Melanie Ng and Abby Moran provided the answer by anchoring Fremd's effort on Tuesday as the host Vikings captured their 25th consecutive regional title by scoring 144.45 in Palatine.

"I think they are in a groove right now," said Fremd coach Kasey Kronforst. "And I think we'll keep moving."

Fremd joins Prairie Ridge co-op as an automatic sectional qualifier to the Hoffman Estates sectional at 6 p.m. next Wednesday.

Lake Zurich took second with 135.975 points, followed by Schaumburg (128.225) and Maine West (120.725).

Ng, who won the MSL all-around title, continued to impress on Tuesday. She took first in the all-around (36.425), added a first-place finish on bars (9.325), third on beam (8.875), fourth on vault (9.2), and finished sixth on the floor (9.025).

"We just want to keep everything consistent and build from there," said Ng. "The team has just been amazing, especially coming from last year. We have experience, we have been working hard in the gym - and now we just have to show it and put the pieces together."

Moran has been a big piece, and she suddenly seems to be in a special zone. Moran won floor exercise and placed second on beam at the MSL meet, and she had no letdown on Tuesday.

She flashed her state potential in taking first on the beam (9.45) and also tied for second on the floor (9.225).

"That 145 score at conference changed our outlook," said Moran. "It has helped to motivate us at practice and has given us a different mindset."

Junior Gianna Christodoulopoulos added to the attack by taking second in the all-around (35.80), second on bars (8.925), third on vault (9.3) and tying for fourth on beam (8.7).

Sophomore Sam Shirmer was also in the groove, taking second on vault (9.35), third on bars (8.825) and fifth on floor (9.175). Junior Kate Watson supplied a lift on floor (9.2) by finishing fourth, and senior Annika Waller grabbed fourth place on bars (8.675).

Schaumburg senior Mikayla Vogt also seems to be in a good place after taking third in the all-around (35.775) to go with first-place finishes on vault (9.525) and floor (9.525).

Vogt was a state qualifier her freshman year but has missed the state meet the past two seasons. She is hoping to change that at the Hoffman sectional.

"It feels really good," said Vogt who also hung tight for second-place finish on beam (8.9). "I feel super confident and feel like I'm in the right place."

Maine West junior Megan Schore has come on strong this season in anchoring the Warriors' attack and she continued to impress on Tuesday. Schore took fourth in the all-around (34.475), tied for second on floor (9.225) and added a fifth-place finish on vault (9.075).

"From the very first meet this season until now I have definitely improved," said Schore. "I just want to stay positive and do my best."

Sophomore Joanna Topa once again keyed Lake Zurich's attack by finishing fifth in the all-around (33.925) and also tying for fourth on beam (8.7).

Freshman Jane Fabbrini added a fifth-place finish for the Bears on the floor (8.4).

"Jo works really hard in the gym," said Lake Zurich coach Chelsie Seplowin. "She puts in extra numbers, she's always going out of her way to perfect everything - and you see that when she competes. I have been very pleased with her."