Fremd still has high hopes
Last year Fremd took third at the state meet in girls gymnastics, this year a deep Vikings squad returns plenty of talent and has its sights set high once again.
It showed on Wednesday night.
Senior Meagan Wochinski won three events in leading host Fremd to a 144.5-139.25 Mid-Suburban League West victory over rival Palatine on senior night.
Wochinski took first on the vault (9.6), beam (9.55), and floor (9.3), tying Palatine sophomore Nicole Kuksuk for the all-around title (36.8).
“I think it's there,” said Wochinski of the Vikings' talent level. “We have great potential. It is just a matter of putting it all together.”
The Vikings went nine deep on Wednesday in an all-around team effort.
“We've definitely have plenty of depth,” added senior Alyssia Van Duch, “Everybody is working hard on each event, so if someone is having an off day we have someone to step in.”
The Vikings didn't miss much on Wednesday.
Sophomore Stephanie Gallo took second on the floor (9.05) and third on the vault (9.35), with sophomore Emily Pinderski adding a second on the bars (9.15).
Fremd showed plenty of poise on the beam with sophomore Shannon Lemajeur taking second (9.5), and senior Kelsey Onesto and freshman Christine Jensen tying for fourth (9.0) with solid routines.
Lemajeur made her first appearance of the season after suffering an ACL injury late last season.
Junior Elizabeth Uhrich added a third-place finish for the Vikings on the floor (8.95) and sophomore Anna Johnson contributed to the attack with a fourth-place finish on the vault (9.10)
Gallo and Johnson missed all of last season with injuries, but the sophomore duo will be key pieces to the Vikings puzzle this season.
“We're deep, that is one of our strengths,” said Fremd coach Jim Guest. “Right now we're trying to get experience and keep everybody involved.”
Palatine is also looking solid especially Kuksuk.
The sophomore took first on the bars (9.25), second on the vault (9.45), third on the beam (9.25), and fourth on the floor (8.85) in an impressive all-around effort.
“We're sticking our routines and we just have to keep working really hard,” said Kuksuk.
The Pirates also received a lift from sophomore Abby Alden, who took third on the bars (8.7), and senior Nicole Barba, who added a fourth-place finish on the bars (8.5).
“We're still adding to the routines, so that score looks good,” added Palatine coach Terry Theobald. “It's a young squad so we'll keep improving.”