Wave's Madden nabs 8th on vault
Jordyn Madden proved to be a one-person show for St. Edward, and the freshman didn't disappoint.
Madden has been performing as an individual for the Green Wave all season and gave her school and coach Doug Bucholz quite a ride.
Madden was the first individual to advance to the IHSA state gymnastics meet for St. Edward, and the freshman came through by finishing eighth in state on the vault (9.5) at Palatine on Saturday.
"It was very exciting," said Madden of her state experience. "I never thought it would be like this."
Stevenson won its fifth state title with 148.900 points, followed by Sandburg (148.10). Glenbard North (146.70) finished third.
Prairie Ridge's Jenny Cover added to her all-around title by winning the vault (9.775) and Stevenson's Chelsie Seplowin took first on the bars (9.725). Lyons' Emily Urban (9.575) grabbed the beam title and Sandburg's Krystyn Misheck (9.8) took first on the floor (9.8).
While Madden did not earn a medal she has lifted the St. Edward programs to new heights.
"She's proud to be representing her school and she knows there is a lot to look forward to," said Bucholz.
Madden finished 20th in the all around on Friday and also advanced to the finals on Saturday with a 9.55 on the vault.
The freshman used an open pike in Saturday's competition on the vault.
"Over the last seven weeks we've been trying to work on her body position," said Bucholz of the vault. "Tried to get her to open up that pike a little more and really hope for the layout credit."
St. Edward did not even have a gymnastics team last year, but Madden has spiked interest in the program. With her two sisters coming to join her in the next two years, the Green Wave is on the rise.
"Hopefully I can get more people - everybody has been talking about it," said Madden.
The freshman set the standard this season with her state qualification and knows with a team or no team the expectations will be on the rise.
"It definitely set a very high standard for next year," said Madden of sterling freshman performance. "Now I have to see if I can go farther."