Conant clinches MSL West
Conant senior gymnast Melynda Meyrick seems to be in a good place right now.
Last year, Meyrick won the Mid-Suburban League all-around title and also earned a fifth-place medal on beam at the state meet. And she's only showed signs of gaining momentum this season.
Meyrick was in control from start to finish on Wednesday night, winning the all-around (37.15) and leading host Conant to an MSL West triangular victory with 140.15 in Hoffman Estates.
A young Barrington team took second with 134.40 points, followed by Schaumburg (126.7).
The victory cemented the MSL West Division title for the Cougars.
"She had a good night," said Conant coach Anthony Avella of Meyrick's performance on senior night. "She is doing everything she needs to be doing, and honestly, I just try to stay out of her way."
Meyrick started the night by taking first on the vault (9.15) and then tied for second on uneven bars (9.0).
She went on to win beam (9.5) and capped her night with flashy first-place floor routine (9.5).
"I'm ready for what's ahead," added Meyrick of the impending postseason, which starts with the MSL meet on Jan. 25 at Buffalo Grove (6 p.m. start). "I still feel I can improve my scores and I'm excited for the challenge."
Meyrick had plenty of help on Wednesday with senior Mariana Vazquez-Rosas and freshman Kennedy O'Connor tying for second on vault (8.8). Freshman Julia Betts continued to keep things rolling by taking third on the beam (8.95) and second in the all-around (34.25).
And senior Bella Ostrowski did her part by taking third on floor (9.05) and tying for third in the all-around (34.0).
Now Conant is aiming for a deep postseason run.
"Definitely," said Ostrowski. "We have improved so much from last season and we've been working really hard in the gym. I believe our best meet is yet to come."
Barrington also seems to be hitting its groove. The Fillies started the season a bit conservatively but hit above 137 in back-to-back meets entering Wednesday triangular.
Senior Hayley Nilles has paced the young Fillies squad; she tied for third in the all-around (34.0) on Wednesday and also tied for second on bars (9.0).
"Everybody has been working really hard," said Nilles.
Fillies freshman Ashley Diaz took first on bars (9.3), with sophomore Sydney Goodman (9.15) and freshman Alana Riemenscheider (8.85) adding second and fourth on beam, respectively.
"All the girls have been contributing in different ways," said Barrington coach Jason Loeffler of his young team, which includes four freshman and two sophomores.
Junior Mikayla Vogt is also primed for a big postseason. She led Schaumburg's attack on Wednesday by taking second on floor (9.10), tying for fourth on vault (8.7) and taking fifth on beam (8.8).
"I think we are all ready for the postseason," said Vogt. "We've been working hard and are looking for it to pay off."