Stevenson punches ticket to state

You can never count out a darkhorse.

On election day, Stevenson's girls gymnastics team was the popular choice.

The Patriots punched out a 148.05 in winning their own sectional Tuesday night. Warren settled for second with a 147.2 and Carmel placed third with a 145.65 in Lincolnshire. Barrington (139.475) was fourth.

Stevenson qualifies for next weekend's state meet at Palatine, while Warren and Carmel most likely will be at-large qualifiers.

"I didn't expect it. I was hoping we would stay close," Stevenson coach Judy Harwood said. "We just wanted to score above Carmel and get at least higher than 145. I'm thrilled to be above 148 and to be sectional champion. It was more than we ever expected."

The Patriots have been getting healthy and their scores have reflected that the last month.

"We really don't have a star," Harwood said. "These girls are good but it's more of a team effort. We compete as a team and that's one of our greatest strengths. We can carry along the enthusiasm and pull energy from each other."

Stevenson's Chelsie Seplowin earned top honors on floor (9.725) and beam (9.575). She also tied for third on vault (9.475) with Libertyville's Amanda Winn and placed third in the all around (37.475).

"I've been working really hard on floor," Seplowin said. "I've been doing everything that I can do and doing my dance perfectly, and I've been working on my landings. I thought it was the best routine of my life."

The Patriots' Shana Manning also qualified on floor, tying for fourth place with Carmel's Lauren Pytel and Lakes' Cody Ksioszk. Each earned a 9.425.

Manning also tied for fifth on beam (9.225) with New Trier's Monica Wolf.

Stevenson's Stephanie Wojton finished second on beam (9.375), fourth in the all around (37.275) and tied for fifth with Carmel's Amber Mirski on bars (9.2).

Warren's Kim Gotlund won a close battle in the all-arounder, posting a 37.575. Her teammate Kacie Holop was fifth with a 37.225 composite. Gotlund also took the top spots on bars (9.475) and vault (9.675).

"We came here for the team and it really didn't happen," Gotlund said. "I thought I had a decent meet. I had no idea the all-around would be that close."

Holop also picked up third on floor (9.45) and fourth on bars (9.35). Warren's Chelsea Youngberg took third on bars (9.375).

Warren, which hit the 150 mark last week, had some problems on its last two events, beam and floor.

"We know we're a top team," Warren coach Carrie Parker said. "I know the girls will have some fire under them (at state). This (performance) will not happen again. Our goal was to make to state and we want to bring home a trophy."

Carmel figures to be headed back to state -- which was the Corsairs' goal.

"I came in wanting a 145," coach Sarah Doyle said. "We had some errors and some major performances here tonight. I think they're waiting to put it all together at state."

The Corsairs' Mirski took second in the all-around (37.5), second on floor (9.525), third on beam (9.35) and fifth on vault (9.425). Carmel's MaryAnn Oehlerking placed second on bars (9.425) and Lindsay Falk finished fourth on beam (9.30).

Barrington's Kelsey Persels performed a Yurchenko pike on vault and earned a 9.5, good for second place.

"It felt good," Persels said. "I got a lot of height and I knew where I was. The landing was a good one."