Girls gymnastics: Scouting Lake County
CARMEL CATHOLIC
Coach: Nicole Stroup (second year)
Top gymnasts lost: Sarah Cohen-Smith, Lauren Feely (Bowling Green), Kari Osowski, Isabella Schneider
Top returning gymnasts: Sr. Cassie Wilson, So. Antonia Durnil
Newcomers: Fr. Madison Graff, Fr. Alyssa Legeretta, Fr. Anna Osowski
Outlook: The Corsairs have experience plenty of success in recent years, winning the state championship two years ago and last season boasting state all-around champ Lauren Feely. Feely, who’s competing for Bowling Green State, also captured the vault and bars titles at state. Cassie Wilson returns from a torn ACL last season, while sophomore Antonia Durnil has the potential to be a leader and contribute in multiple events. The Corsairs have three freshmen in Madison Graff, Alyssa Legeretta and Anna Osowski. “We have a young but hardworking team,” coach Nicole Stroup said. “It will be hard to replace the girls that graduated, but our new little team has some really great potential. I’m excited to see what they are capable of in their high school gymnastics careers.”
LIBERTYVILLE
Coach: Tiffany Owens (second year)
Top gymnasts lost: Jenna Dunsing
Top returning gymnasts: Sr. Mariah Lee, Sr. Rachael Metcalf
Newcomers: So. Lauren Jordan, Fr. Ima Wasemann
Outlook: The Wildcats will be counting on seniors Rachael Metcalf and Mariah Lee. Lee has been to state the last two seasons, while Metcalf is also experienced at the varsity level. “They will be an intricate part of helping our younger athletes compete at the varsity level,” coach Tiffany Owens said. “We have a talented group of freshmen and sophomores who will bring a lot to the table. I think it will be an exciting season. I’m looking forward to watching our younger athletes grow as gymnasts as well.”
MUNDELEIN
Coach: Nancy Toland (14th year)
Top gymnasts lost: Laura Azzarello, Kendall Smith, Katie Smith
Top returning gymnasts: Sr. Maya Nienaber, Jr. Mckenzie Kehr, Jr. Nicole Ornoff, Jr. Kelsey Toland, So. Marissa Rizzo
Newcomers: So. Taylor Kozaritz
Outlook: The Mustangs have showed continued improvement the last couple of years. They seek to hit the 140 mark. “If the team can stay healthy, (the girls) should meet and hopefully exceed our highest team score in years,” coach Nancy Toland said. “We could qualify for sectionals and are working extremely hard to make it as a team to state.”
STEVENSON
Coach: Judy Harwood (25th year)
Top gymnasts lost: Allie Brady, Becca Feltman-Frank, Riley Trebilco
Top returning gymnasts: Jr. Elizabeth Schank, Jr. Alyssa Weisberg, So. Mikaela Webb, Sr. Monali Mukherjie
Newcomers: Jr. Emilie Cabaud, Jr. Danielle Gleason, Jr. Maggie Wickman
Outlook: The Patriots boast defending state balance beam champ Alyssa Weisberg. Elizabeth Schank brings back her talents after taking a year off. Some younger gymnasts will add to the mix. “It will be a challenging year,” coach Judy Harwood said. “We do have room to grow. The girls are learning new skills quickly. It’s good that we have girls with talent and others with great experience.”
VERNON HILLS
Coach: Jesse Piland (first year)
Top gymnasts lost: Julia Gartsman, Hannah McGreavy (club), Alli Tran
Top returning gymnasts: Sr. Katie Neff, Jr. Mackenzie Renihan, Jr. April Tabamo
Newcomers: Jr. Kiara Schuh, So. Molly Wasserberg
Outlook: The Cougars are in rebuilding mode after graduating star Alli Tran, who last season was named senior gymnast of the year, and also losing Hannah McGreavy, who decided to compete at the club level. Jesse Piland takes over from Alison Gildemeister, who became the coach at Lake Forest. Piland had been an assistant for the last seven years and has been Mundelein’s boys head coach for the last five years. “We’re rebuilding and hopefully we’ll improve,” Piland said. “It’s fun on Day One and it will be fun on the final day. Right now, we’re competing against ourselves and not for the conference. We just want to improve every day and have fun.”
WARREN
Coach: Alison Nardini (third year)
Top gymnasts lost: Krystal Kofoed, Becky Stochl, Kelsey Stocker
Top returning gymnasts: Jr. Kyra McCue, So. Katie Graeb
Newcomers: Fr. Hannah Beyrer, Fr. Eleanor Steinelin
Outlook: The Blue Devils are young. They’ll compete with no seniors. “We hope to take our skills and try to improve with each practice and each meet,” coach Alison Nardini said. “We are working on consistency and to stick our routines.”