Scouting DuPage County girls gymnastics
Top teams: Glenbard East, Glenbard West, Hinsdale Central, Lake Park, Wheaton co-op, York.
Top returning individuals: Abby Carlson (Downers Grove South, sr., all-arounder), Megan Cronin (York, jr., bars, floor, vault), Anna Diab (Glenbard West, so., all-arounder), Maddie Diab (Glenbard West, sr., all-arounder), Andrea Davenport, (Downers Grove South, sr., all-arounder), Kesley Donovan (Glenbard East, jr., all-arounder), Kiara Harrast (Hinsdale Central, so., all-around), Katherine Hoban (Glenbard West, sr.., all-arounder), Rebecca Honig (Glenbard East, so., all-arounder), Kali Kartheiser (Glenbard East, so., all-arounder), Jamie LaBue (Wheaton co-op, jr., all-arounder), Sarah Ozeki (Glenbard North, so., all-arounder), Taylor Ramirez (Glenbard West, sr., all-arounder), Jane Riehs (Neuqua Valley, so., all-arounder), Macy Smykal (Wheaton co-op, sr., all-arounder), Brooke Stocki (Downers Grove North, sr., all-arounder), Racquel Suhr (Lake Park, so., all-arounder), Kelsey Sumser (Naperville North, so., all-arounder), Lexi Swanson (Naperville Central, sr., all-arounder), Karli Wilson (Willowbrook, jr., all-arounder).
Outlook: Addison Trail welcomes back its top gymnasts from last year, all-arounders Francesca Scarbaggio, Lexi Theodore and Maddie Rumps. The Blazers will still be young with Rumps being the veteran as a senior and the other two girls being only sophomores, but they're second-year athletes that played a big role last season. The team lost Lauren Stamatopoulos to graduation but expects big things from newcomer Delaney Gregory. "We have a small varsity team," Blazers coach Kyle Padera said. "Losing Lauren will hurt us, but the addition of Delaney as a freshman should help fill some holes."
Downers Grove North lost no one from last year's squad so coach Linda Reynolds is excited about what lies ahead. "We are returning everyone from last year so we will be decent," she said." Senior and two-time state qualifier Brooke Stocki leads that returning group along with junior Lauren Lucina and sophomores Mia Bowers and McKenna Cinotte among others.
Downers Grove South is thrilled to have some key gymnastics back from a team that was scoring over 140 last season. Seniors Abby Carlson and Andrea Davenport provide a solid 1-2 punch in the all-around, while sophomore Melina Pipilas returns and freshman Katrina Carlson and Gianna Grippo join the squad. Grippo moves up from JV while Katrina Carlson can provide a big score as a newcomer in the all-around. "This season we hope to work hard to be at the state meet in some capacity," Mustangs coach Kristyn Campos said.
Fenton will look to make progress in skills with many of the new athletes that have joined the team while advancing the skills of those who return with experience from last year and beyond. The Bison can expect their biggest scores to come from senior Nicole Maciulewicz and junior Emily Trzmielewski and newcomers Emily Czyzycki and Lilvia Baran. If the Bison can master some skills, they should be in for a fun season.
Glenbard East has been a program on the rise in recent years and this could be its best team yet. "We had a great season last year, and with many of my gymnasts returning this year we are trying to do just as well, maybe even better," Rams coach Jessica Bugajsky said. "Our goal is to keep our team score in the 140s and hit our routines." The Rams earned a program-record 144.2 last year and sent senior Sierra Olson and sophomores Rebecca Honig and Kali Kartheiser to state. All three gymnasts are back, and Kartheiser is coming off an eighth-place finish in the all-around at state and eighth place on bars. Senior Sydney Nasternak, who has been a program staple, is also back along with Kelsey Donovan while incoming freshman, Erin Donovan, also has a lot to offer.
Glenbard North will bid adieu to coach Kristin Nordquist, who has announced that this is her final season coaching at her alma mater. Nordquist will rely heavily on sophomores Sarah Ozeki and Katie Wagner for scoring, but where the Panthers get the other half of their scoring is the big unknown. "My top two athletes trained throughout the summer and are coming in looking good and like they could have a potential state-qualifying season on multiple events," Nordquist said.
Glenbard South will certainly be a diverse squad as coach Lee Wood welcomes four exchange students, a couple from Germany and others from Costa Rica and Norway. "I have had an exchange student every year for nine years so I'm very excited," Wood said. "They are a great group of girls." Seniors Katie Kibbey, Mackenzie Goetz and Skylar Maloney are back to lead the Raiders. "I cannot wait to see what this senior group can do," Wood said. "And the supporting cast of sophomores and juniors should make for an unforgettable season."
Glenbard West is loaded with talent. On most occasions a defending state champion isn't as fortunate as the Hilltoppers are this winter as champs often lose a key contributor or two. No need to worry about that at Glenbard West until next season, as they feature seven returning seniors in Katherine Hoban, Maia Lee, Claire McGurk, Abby Myers, Nina Samuta with Maddie Diab (all-around and floor champion at state last February) and Taylor Ramirez back to lead the way, along with sophomore Anna Diab. Freshman Audrey Harrington and sophomore Hailey Tripple are new to the squad and will look to find a way to help this ultra-talented team that looks to be the favorite to win its second straight title.
Hinsdale Central was one of 20 teams to score a 140 or better at least once last season. To return to that level or go higher, the Red Devils are going to need more than big seasons from returning seniors Kristin Moser and Kylie Torsberg and sophomore Kiarra Harrast but also from some newcomers. That includes junior Caroline Klocbach and a trio from the Class of 2022 in Riley Matthews, Gabby Krzyskiak and Annette Sommers. "A good group of girls who work really hard," Hinsdale Central coach Kim Estoque said. "If we can keep them healthy, they will do really well."
Hinsdale South will look for its two key seniors to help develop a talented group of underclassmen. "Very young team will be lead by two seniors (Zoe Lagessie and Samantha Smith) with a lot of experience," Hornets coach Jarrod Amolsch said. "We hope to improve each week of the season." Freshmen Caraline Custardo and Nicole Pacasova and sophomores Tori Wilson, Hanna Pitonak and Ella Linkowski join the squad, all who are capable of competing as all-arounders.
Lake Park has been one of the better teams in the state for a while now as coach Jake Luketin has had some memorable seasons in recent years in Roselle. The Lancers will get to know the new DuKane Conference this year with senior Andie Granskog, junior Julia Kurek and sophomore Racquel Suhr back to lead a squad that lost Kelly Zehnder and Chloe Capuder to graduation. Look for the Lancers to get some contributions from some young newcomers, including freshmen Paulina Lucer and Paula Naronowicz and sophomore Olivia Perez.
Naperville Central peaked in the low 130s, last year and with the experience the Redhawks have coming back and a solid mix of newcomers, one would think they should see more consistent scoring week to week. "We're optimistic," Redhawks coach Glen Reimers said. "With the help of last year's varsity, I think the new or inexperienced will be able to finish strong." Seniors Rose Fritz, Hailey Haumann and Lexi Swanson return to lead the way, while there are big opportunities for newcomers Mary Grace Maxwell, Joanna Huang, Delaney Sterr and Angelina Wacaba to contribute.
Naperville North hasn't gotten much older, but the Huskies should be even better with another year of experience under its belt and a couple talented newcomers added to the team. Junior captains Emma Ryan and Chloe Tsao and sophomore Kelsey Sumser are back. Sumser was a state qualifier on vault last season. Freshmen Evie Glaze and Dana Blakey are nice new additions that will make an impact. "We definitely want to improve on last year's scores and with the two new freshmen, and returning juniors Gwen Swalwell and Ellie Liberman, we believe we can accomplish our goal," Huskies coach Chris Stanicek said.
Neuqua Valley will be young, but the Wildcats have a lot of talent in their youth with senior all-arounder Olivia Nelson bringing back the most experience for a team filled with underclassmen that will be leading the way. That includes Jane Riehs, who has overcome more than her fair share of injuries and took second in the state on beam in February, as well as fellow sophomore Baylee Modaff and freshmen Amelia Wachtel and Susan Jones. All the aforementioned Wildcats are all-arounders. "I think that we are going to do well this year," Neuqua Valley coach Katie Novorolsky said. "I was very happy with how we did last year, and we have an even stronger team coming into this season."
Waubonsie/Metea Valley co-op has got a lot of talent returning as well as some joining the team so if it can stay healthy and maximize its best scorers in the four events, the co-op could break 135 and push toward the low 140s as a team this winter. Seniors Kaity Stocco and Marisa Cruz and junior sisters Thera Bowen and Thalia Bowen are back to lead the way while juniors Amy Counihan and Destiny Carter are new to the team. All six gymnasts are capable of working as all-arounders, which gives coach Phillip Gilmer options. "The girls have come in with determination in their eyes," Gilmer said. "They work hard at every practice and aren't afraid to try new things. They have been working out over the break and it shows."
Wheaton Warrenville co-op didn't lose any seniors from last year's team, which made its first trip to state since 2000. That bodes well for the girls this winter as they will attempt for another successful season that culminates as being one of the state's elite teams at Palatine. "We have great expectations for this year with our varsity team returning for another season," Wheaton co-op coach Maureen Kermend said. "Our goal is to score in the 140s throughout the season and continue into postseason competition." Three all-arounders return, including senior Macy Smykal, junior Jamie LaBue (defending state beam champion) and sophomore Emily Burnham while senior two-event specialist Jackie Kerth is also back. "I believe our team could qualify to state again this year if we can continue to fire on all cylinders," Kermend said.
Willowbrook has a new group of gymnastics, including freshman all-arounder Tess Placek, that is excited to join the program and help junior Karli Wilson and senior Caitlin Owen continue where they left off last February. "We finished the season last year with Karli going to sectionals and they all have already set their goals to try to get back," Willowbrook coach Deanna Zuchowski said. "We are hoping for the best season we have had in the last few years and hope to outscore our high scores from last year."
York is coming off a 133.4 third-place finish in the Oak Park-River Forest regional and has the potential to have a huge breakthrough season. The Dukes didn't lose much to graduation from last year's team and juniors Megan Cronin and Zikora Nnam and sophomore Lailah Waddell return, while Angelina DeBlasio, Martha Miklyukh, Maryalice Shockey are certain to make an impact as freshmen all-arounders with club experience. Coach Anthony Colant has talent that can score high." This should be a big year for us," he said. "We have a lot of returning, seasoned gymnasts walking into the gym and even more newcomers feeding in from Action Gymnastics and a few other clubs in the area who will all be making some major contributions. Everyone's a little rough around the edges, but our potential for growth is exciting as we piece together some big skills into some even bigger routines."
- Chris Walker