Schaumburg's victorious - and getting healthier

Schaumburg and girls gymnastics coach Jami Stilling have had to remain patient this season. The Saxons have had their share of injuries, including one for junior Brooke Shimon, who is coming back from a broken left ankle.

But the Saxons are starting to pick up steam.

Schaumburg looked a bit rusty on Tuesday night at the Maine West Invitational, but the Saxons still shined in taking first with 101.05 points in Des Plaines.

Maine South took second with 100.325 points followed by Prospect (99.85), Rolling Meadows (96.25), and Wheeling (92.45).

"Getting ready for the meet we were a bit shaky," Stilling said, "but we were able to get our jitters out and get ready for the second half of the season. We still have a lot we can work on, but I'm pleased with how we performed."

Addison Trail junior Alyssa Cruz showed little rust in winning the all-around (9.312), taking first on the vault (9.8) and beam (8.9), adding a second on the bars (9.25) and finishing third on the floor (9.3).

Cruz did not compete her sophomore year due to a dislocated shoulder, but the junior showed on Tuesday that she will be a major player this season.

"I was pretty excited," said Cruz, who nailed her Yurchenko layout on her second vault attempt. "This meet definitely gives me confidence and I am still planning on adding more skills to my routines."

Sophomore Ashley Miller has stepped up for Schaumburg. She powered the Saxons on Tuesday by taking first on the floor (9.35), adding a third on the vault (9.1), and finishing fourth despite a fall on the bars (8.85).

"We're just now starting to get everyone back," said Miller, who took second in the all-around (8.838)."It's going to kick in. I'm very excited about our potential."

Junior Caitlin Barrett took third on the bars (8.9) and Shimon tied for third on the beam (8.5) to aid Schaumburg's attack.

Shimon has eased back into competition since suffering her injury, but the junior who qualified for state on the floor last season is steadily making progress.

"The main goal for this meet was just getting back into competition," said Shimon. "Tonight was an off night - nobody really hit, but we still took home the gold, which is good for us."

Prospect's Katie Colmone continues to look solid on the bars; the senior nailed her dismount in taking first with a 9.45 on Tuesday.

"I let go at the right point and I could feel it," added Colmone of her bar routine. "I just stuck it. Each meet I get more and more confident."

Sophomore Lauren Johnson took fifth on the floor (8.95) and junior Christina Pekar added a fifth on the beam (8.45) to aid the Knights.

Sophomore Lauren Cerza took fourth on the vault (9.0) in propelling Rolling Meadows to fourth place

Senior Amy Burke finished third in the all-around (8.738) for Wheeling, taking second on the vault (9.20).

Ashley Horne took fourth in the all-around (8.55) for Elgin-Larkin Coop, with the junior adding a fourth place on the floor (9.10).

"It was a good meet," added Horne of her performance. "I had a few mistakes here and there, but I'm definitely improving."

Fenton's Haley Sabala took fifth on the bars (8.6) and Wheaton North Coop's Kristina Terry finished fifth in the all-around (8.394).