Girls gymnastics: MSL preview
Mid-Suburban League girls gymnastics meet
Where: Prospect High School, Jean Walker Field House
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Teams to watch: For the Fremd girls gymnastics team, it has been all about strength in numbers. The Vikings have always had that special all-around gymnast, aided by a strong supporting cast. This year the Viking may not have that one dominant competitor to lift the squad, but they do have plenty of overall depth and talent. “We don’t really have that one person this year,” said Fremd coach Tim Hamman, “but we do have plenty of depth and talent, and each individual is great being prepared and knowing what to do.” The Vikings showed their versatility at the Fremd Invitational on Jan. 14 when they hit a season-best 147.6. Fremd had a different individual as top scorer for each event — junior Shannon Lemajeur took second on the vault (9.65) and all-around (37.20), freshman Sydney Plichta took second on the bars (9.5), sophomore Christine Jensen added second on the beam (9.35) and senior Stephanie Uhrich placed fourth on the floor (9.325). Senior Elizabeth Uhrich, juniors Emily Pinderski, Stephanie Gallo, and Mary Smaga, with freshman Emily Neal and Christine Radochonski add to the Vikings’ talented attack. Fremd will be the team to beat.
But Prospect, Palatine, Barrington, and Conant will give the Vikings a test. Host Prospect received a boost when sophomore Gianna Scala returned in mid-January, combining with senior Lauren Johnson to lead the Knights’ school record 143.55 points. Prospect is without junior Meggie Kania, but sophomore Jackie Difonso, with freshmen Maddie Larock and Maddie Boldt, have helped stabilize and lift the Knights. “I think those three are really starting to realize their potential,” said Prospect coach Randy Smith. “We’ve put a lot of pressure on them in practice and I’ve been impressed with how they have responded.” Palatine is also a threat. The Pirates hit a season-best 140.45 in early January. Juniors Nicole Kuksuk and Abby Alden give the Pirates a tough 1-2 punch, and freshman Claudia Przystal has made steady improvement. “We’re definitely better now than we were to start the season,” said Palatine coach Terry Theobald. Senior Tiffany Persels has been a constant for the Barrington squad, with freshmen Jessica Lee and Jada Jones adding a spark to the Fillies attack. Conant sophomore star Bri Bibel has been limited due to a back injury this season, but the Cougars haven’t missed a beat as sophomore Meicie Bennett and junior Sarah Starzynski have propelled the attack.
Individuals
Nicole Kuksuk (Palatine): The Pirate junior has rebounded nicely after missing a chunk of the off season training with a back injury. She has been adding skills and is almost back to top form. She will be tough on Friday night.
Shannon Lemajeur (Fremd): The Viking junior has quietly led a deep team. This is the best Lemajeur has looked since injury her right ACL freshman year.
Gianna Scala (Prospect): The Knight sophomore may still not be at 100-percent after spraining her left MCL in December, but she made a statement by winning the all-around the Prospect Invitational. Amelia Rafferty (Elk Grove): The Grenadiers sophomore was a hit on the floor last season, this year she has become an all-around threat.
Bri Bibel (Conant): The Cougar sophomore has been hurting all season with a back injury. But Bibel has made no excuses and is still posting impressive scores.
Others to watch: Lauren Johnson (Sr., Prospect), Stephanie Uhrich ( Sr., Fremd), Abby Alden (Jr., Palatine), Tiffany Persels (Sr., Barrington), Erin Barrett (Sr., Schaumburg).
Postseason preview
Lake Park sectional
The Schaumburg regional starts off a busy week on Monday at 6:30 p.m. The host Saxons will have their work cut out for them in a field that includes No. 2 seed Prairie Ridge/District 155 co-op. Hersey will also be in the field. The Conant regional continues the week on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., as the host Cougars and No. 3 seed Prospect will battle it out in a field that also includes Wheeling and Hoffman Estates. The Fremd regional will be on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. The top-seeded Vikings will be looking to flex their muscle; Lake Park and Buffalo Grove will also be in the field. The Palatine regional concludes the week on Friday at 6:30 p.m. with the fourth-seeded Pirates and No. 5 seed Barrington. Rolling Meadows and Elk Grove will also be in the field.
Other regional action: Maine West will be competing at the Deerfield regional on Thursday at 6:30 p.m., and Leyden will be participating at the Glenbard North regional on Monday at 6:30 p.m.
— Michael Eaken