Fremd looks fine, wins regional
Fremd has had it share of up and downs this season, but the Vikings bounced back in a big way on Friday night at their own girls gymnastics regional.
Fremd had its share of falls last Friday at the Mid-Suburban League meet as the Vikings finished second to Schaumburg with 144.275 points.
But Fremd tightened its grip on Friday, cruising to a 19th consecutive regional title with 145.675 points in Palatine.
Libertyville (140.725) took second, followed by Vernon Hills (127.825) and Mundelein (127.75).
Fremd advances to the Stevenson sectional on Monday night at 6:30 p.m.
“We’ve been practicing well for quite some time, but it hasn’t always translated to the meets,” said Fremd coach Jim Guest. “This was one of our better meets. We’re on a little bit of a roll — now we just have to keep going.”
Maegen Wochinksi has been on quite a roll for some time, and the Vikings senior continued the ride on Friday by taking first in the all-around (37.575).
Wochinski also took first on the bars (9.575) and beam (9.5), and added seconds on the vault (9.35) and floor (9.15) in a solid performance.
“Every meet we keep getting better,” said Wochinski. “And every meet we keep dealing with the pressure better.”
Fremd junior Stephanie Uhrich took second on the bars (9.2) and added a third place on the beam (9.175), with senior Kelsey Onesto adding a second-place finish on the beam (9.2).
Sophomore Stephanie Gallo tied teammate Emily Pinderski for fourth on the bars (9.1), and Gallo also tied for fourth on the vault (9.275), while Elizabeth Uhrich added a fifth place finish on the floor (8.95) in helping the Vikings regain their winning grip.
“We know its regionals and if we messed up that would be the end,” said Wochinski. “Everybody is realizing it’s coming down to each performance and everyone is more focused. It showed tonight.”
Libertyville came in with high expectations, but the Wildcats had a rough go of it on the beam and now have tenuous hold on the second and final at-large berth for the Stevenson sectional with two regionals remaining. Palatine has the top at-large berth after hitting 143.55 at the Stevenson regional on Monday.
“It is one of those events where you’re either on or you’re off,” said Libertyville coach John Taylor, whose Wildcats hit a 33.725 on the beam. “We were kind of off today, but we finished strong on the floor.”
Senior Leah Herchenbach led the charge for the Wildcats on the floor by taking first with a 9.275. Junior Lindsay Schweitzer and sophomore Jenna Dunsing tied for third on the floor (8.95).
Herchenbach came back from a rocky beam to hit a whip-back full on her final pass to secure the title on the floor.
“I knew I had to get it together after beam,” said Herchenbach, who finished fourth in the all-around (35.425) and added third on the bars (9.175). “I was able to have some fun on the floor and I hit it.”
Dunsing also took fifth in the all-around (35.0) for the Wildcats.
Sophomore Alli Tran powered the Vernon Hills attack by taking second in the all-around (36.35), with a first on the vault (9.4), and fourth on the beam (9.1).
“It was nice to hit my first event,” said Tran who hit a pike-tsuk on her first vault to nail down the title. “I’ve been pretty consistent all season, but to get to this point is really nice.”
Sophomore Sarah Lopez took third for the Cougars in the all-around (35.775).
Freshman Maya Nienaber took third on the vault (9.3) to propel Mundelein. Lisa Wajswol sprained her right ankle in practice on Thursday, but the junior came back to tie for fourth on the vault (9.275) and add a fifth-place finish on the beam (8.975) for the Mustangs.
“I knew I had to push through,” said Wajswol of her performance. “I tried not to think about the ankle, and just focus on what I needed to do.”