Stevenson’s deep thoughts pay off with regional win
Taking an idea it developed at the end of last year has carried Stevenson’s girls gymnastics team to a new level this season.
The Patriots have have harnessed every bit of their considerable depth, as evidenced by a season-high score right at the start of the state series.
Stevenson posted a top score of 149.125 to capture its own regional on Wednesday night, while Warren finished second with 138.6, ahead of Maine South (133.925), Niles North (122,7) and Maine East (92.7) in Lincolnshire.
“We started this project last year, because we knew that we were graduating a couple of seniors,” Stevenson coach Judy Harwood said. “It’s not a surprise to me and it was some long-range planning.
“It makes us rely on our own depth. It’s more of a carryover from last year, and we can reach some long-term goals.”
Ali Castriano (38.125) and Elizabeth Shank (37.05) placed 1-2 in the all-around.
Castriano also won floor (9.675) and vault (9.6) and tied with teammate Becca Feltman-Frank for first on bars (9.4). Castriano was also second on beam (9,45).
“It wasn’t my best score,” said Feltman-Frank, who returned for a couple of events from a recent toe injury. “I hit some of my moves and hit my landing.”
Feltman-Frank also tied for second with teammate Alyssa Weisberg on vault (9.325).
Weisberg picked up top honors on the beam (9.5) and was fifth on floor (8.95).
“I felt like I did the routine extra hard,” said Weisberg, a freshman. “I did a different routine and I felt more confident. We did have some tough practices over the last few days.”
Shank also placed third on beam (9.4) and Riley Trebilco was fourth (9.35). And on floor, Shank (9.45) was third and Trebilco (9.375) fourth. Shank placed third on bars (9.175) and fifth on vault (9,1).
Therese Wojton returned for the first time since an ankle injury suffered during the holiday break. She competed on beam and had a 9.2, good for sixth place and possibly an at-large berth to the Niles North sectional next Thursday.
In the all-around, Warren’s Becky Stochl (35.775) placed fourth and Kelsey Stoecker (35.025) fifth.
Stochl placed fourth on the bars with a 9.05, while Stoecker was fifth (8,8). The Blue Devils’ Kyra McCue took fourth on vault (9.175).
“I wanted to do well, because I wasn’t sure if this was going to be my last meet,” Stochl said. “I wanted this to be my best routine of the year. I was happy to hit my landing. I just wanted to go big and hit it.”
Warren is the second at-large team eligible for next week’s sectional behind Mundelein (141.5) with remaining regionals at Deerfield (Thursday) and New Trier (Friday).