Second-place Stevenson now plays waiting game
Stevenson opened the girls gymnastics state series with its best score of the season and sits as the top at-large team while host Glenbrook South won its own regional with a score of 147.325.
The Patriots posted a score of 142.4, Warren was third (127) and Vernon Hills fourth (124.05) in Glenview on Monday night.
There are still three more regionals to be held this week - Tuesday at Mundelein, Wednesday at Carmel and Thursday at New Trier. However, extreme cold weather could cause some postponements. Winners from each regional and two at-large teams advance to next Wednesday's Stevenson sectional.
On Monday, the IHSA allowed Glenbrook South to host the regional even though the teams involved in the competition were off school because of the inclement weather.
Stevenson didn't let the off school day effect its efforts during the meet.
"It's nerve-racking, because you really don't know what you need," Stevenson coach Judy Harwood said. "We have to wait all week to see I we can go to our own sectional. I think we have a good chance. At the last minute, they are adding difficulty and they've come along nicely.
"It was a bit stressful not knowing if the meet was going on at first. Not sure if it made them more stressed or less stressed. They got a chance to sleep in and concentrate, whereas at school, they could've been more tired and less focused."
Stevenson's Hannah Brand recovered from a foot injury earlier in the month at the Evanston invitational and managed to take second place on the balance beam with a 9.025.
"I had a bone bruise on the top of my right foot," said Brand, competing in her only event. "This was my first meet back. Beam is my favorite and best event. It was really hard to come back from this injury. My foot was really sore, but I was able to do it. I'm just happy to make it back and compete at regionals."
Also, sophomore Ainslee Cutler was able to advance on the bars taking fourth place with 9.05 and reached the sectional for the first time. She was also fifth on the floor exercise (9.025).
"It's very exciting for me, since last year I had a rough meet at regionals," Cutler said. "I fell on bars and it was disappointing. I was hoping to move forward into sectionals. But, it was good to know that I redeemed myself this year. I was able to work on a lot of reps. I needed to focus on everything and working on it one skill at a time. It did take a while to get over it. It's helpful to know that I have my teammates to cheer me on and they believe in me. I have to believe in myself too."
Emily Weinstein placed fourth in the all-around (35.15). She also was third on vault (9.35) and third on bars (9.1). Sarina Johnson finished third in the all-around (35.7), fifth on bars (8.875) and beam (8.8). Riley Polatsek placed fourth on beam (8.95).
Sheena Graham led Glenbrook South with the top all-around score and school best 38.3. She earned top honors on bars (9.625) and beam (9.475) and second on vault (9.75). Her teammate Jenna Hartley was the runner-up in the all-around (37.85) and finished first on vault (9.85) and floor (9.6).