Redhawks fifth, Huskies 6th at Downers North invite
Naperville Central and Naperville North once again were left looking up at Fremd.
For the 19th consecutive year, Fremd won the Mike Williams Big Purple Invite at Downers Grove North on Saturday.
Fremd finished comfortably ahead of runner-up Lyons, 108.075 to 104.275. Libertyville was third with a 103.550, followed by a 101.3 from Oswego co-op.
Naperville Central took fifth place among 12 teams with a 99.325.
The Redhawks utilized seven different gymnasts and only Vanessa Henry competed in all four events, finishing with an all-around score of 32.95.
“We just wanted to score at least what we did last year (95.550),” Naperville Central coach Glen Reimers said. “We beat that, so that was good.”
Depth is a strength this winter for Naperville Central, although the team remains young. One of the team’s newcomers, junior Jessica Cruse, shined on floor, taking second place with a 9.075.
“She did awesome and she hasn’t seen other teams or the pressure that’s out there,” Reimers said. “I think after she saw how well she did that it boosted her confidence.”
Reimers is hopeful it can rub off on the team, which was only competing for the second time in the young season.
“We have everybody back from last year but we were very young (last year),” Reimers said. “We’re blessed with depth, but we’re still young.”
Claire Savard and Vanessa Henry also had strong efforts for the Redhawks. Savard scored an 8.225 on beam and an 8.65 on vault, while Henry tallied an 8.175 on bars and an 8.825 on floor.”
Naperville North placed sixth with a 97.3. Freshman Michaela Robert led the way for the Huskies. In her high school debut meet, Robert placed third in the all-around with a 35.275
“She did very well today,” Naperville North coach Chris Stanicek said. “I was really pleased with her and she’s only going to get better.”
Kaitlyn Daly also had a strong effort for the Huskies, placing third on vault with a 9.4 and tying for seventh on beam with an 8.325.
“It was good for the girls to see other gymnasts so they now know what’s out there and what to strive for,” Stanicek said. “It was a good debut, though, and we know we have things to work on, including bars, which is going to be a struggle, and beam, which is always a focus.”
Glenbard East took eighth place with a 93.1. A trio of all-arounders were bunched up for the Rams, led by Emma Slinkman’s 30.4, along with Jamie Gradishar’s 30.375 and Jessica Griffin’s 30.35.
“Today went pretty well overall and they’re still working new skills,” Glenbard East coach Jessica Bugajsky said. “We’re getting better, more consistent and the new girls are still getting used to the high school setting.”
Fremd continued its dominance thanks to strong contributions from several gymnasts. Stephanie Gallo led the way, placing second in the all-around with a 36.1, while Shannon Lemajuer scored a 9.425 on vault and an 8.95 on floor and Sydney Plichta, Emily Pinderski and Stephanie Uhrich each contributed a top-five finish in one event apiece.