New Trier dominates own regional, Libertyville second
This week's seriously cold weather caused schools to close and limited practice time for a number of teams. That led to stress for girls gymnastics teams, which competed in regional meets.
Libertyville competed in the New Trier regional on Thursday night.
"I think it's extremely stressful to (compete) when they are doing high-level, very dangerous skills," Libertyville coach Tiffany Owens said. "It did get on a lot of the girls' nerves. For safety reasons, we just couldn't practice at all. The girls felt a lot of pressure tonight. They really wanted to make it to sectionals."
New Trier advanced to next Wednesday's Stevenson sectional by dominating its own regional with a 148.575. Libertyville was second with a 130.3, followed by Deerfield (128.85), Wheeling (119.6) and Lakes coop (118.275).
New Trier will join Glenbrook South (147.325) and Mundelein (141.225) as advancing teams at Stevenson. Stevenson (142.4) and Lake Forest (138.65) are the two at-large teams with one more regional remaining. That will be at Carmel Catholic on Friday night.
Kylie Skie of Libertyville performed at her best on floor exercise, taking the fourth spot with a 9.25 to qualify for the sectional.
"I was really excited about the floor," said Skie, who reached the sectional on the same event last year. "The biggest thing was that our team had some much energy going into it. I think we feed off each other. In my routine, I had so much energy. I was excited and I really went for it. I'm happy with my score."
Libertyville's Cameron Hamilton will have to waiting to see if earns at-large sectional berths on bars (8.7) and floor (9.0).
"We were amazing on floor," Owens said. "The girls really pulled it together and were really successful. The positive energy transfers across the team."
Jessica Stavros of Wheeling made it to the sectional last year, and as a senior she might be returning if her floor score (8.925) holds up to qualify at-large.
"I think it's frustrating every year," Stravros said. "I think just making sectionals is a big accomplishment. It still feels good. Floor, being a senior, I knew it might be the last time competing it so I really had to step back and have fun with it. All the girls on the team had fun cheering each other on. I thought it worked out really well."
New Trier won the top three spots in the all around led by Maeve Murdock (37.6), Rachel Zun (37.575) and Darcy Barkal (37.15).
Barkel also won vault (9.675) and bars (9.5), while her Murdock finished first on beam (9.325) and Zun had the top score on floor (9.65).
Deerfield's Lea Alatzakis finished fourth in the all around (33.25) and Hannah Agins was right behind (33.05).