Girls gymnastics: Hersey’s Reyes wins all-around at Mundelein sectional
The pressure was on when six girls gymnastics teams and many individuals battled it out with a berth to the 2025 IHSA state meet at stake Thursday night at the Mundelein sectional.
And New Trier became the third team to advance to state next weekend at Palatine High School as the Trevians took first place with 143.575 points to hold off runner-up Prairie Ridge with 142.55 points. The final team berth will be decided Friday night at the Glenbard West sectional as well as the four at-large team berths to state.
Vernon Hills edged Carmel Catholic 140.425 to 140.35 at Mundelein followed by Lake Forest (138.65) in fifth and Warren (131.7) in sixth.
Hersey freshman Maria Reyes was sensational in winning the all-around competition with 37.475 points (9.37 average) while Vernon Hills' Livy Tran was a close second with 37.375 points. The top five finishers in all-around and all four events advanced to state while the cut-off scores for state will be announced following Friday night's sectional.
"I just wanted to try my best, and I wanted to make it to state and win in my freshman year," said Reyes, who hit a season-high mark in the all-around. "I just hope I have the same confidence I had today (at state), and I want to make at least top five next week."
Lake Zurich's Mia McHugh (37.3) nipped Mundelein's Lexie Ede (37.225) for fourth place overall while Vernon Hills' Mya Brusso (37.05) took sixth to pretty much lock up an at-large berth to state.
"We did well. Overall this sectional is so tough with so many great teams so I'm proud of them," said Vernon Hills coach Denise Caton. "She (Tran) had a great meet, she took second place with a fall (on uneven bars), and Mya had a great day after the last few weeks with an ankle injury."
Libertyville freshman Nina Raniszewski (36.225), Stevenson's Kate Staub (35.925), and Carmel's Alyssah Arends (35.875) all have a shot at state in the all-around.
"She (Raniszewski) pretty much hit every event so I thought she did phenomenally well," said Libertyville coach Tiffany Owens. "She should make state in the all-around, and Kenzie Tyrrell may advance on beam as an at-large qualifier."
Ede won vault (9.575) and beam (9.525) while Tran won floor with a 9.525. Reyes took second on both floor (9.5) and beam (9.5).
Lake Zurich's Ella Babcock (9.175) and Hersey's Gianna Mazzola tied for fifth on beam to advance to state. Warren teammates Camryn Clark (9.3 on floor), and Emilia Montes (8.975 on beam) have a good shot at making state.
"I'm really proud of them. We are in a fantastic sectional so our goal was to end on a high note," said Carmel coach Sarah Mikrut Doyle. "She (Arends) fell on beam, but she had a beautiful floor and vault and I hope she can make state in the all-around."