The arrow’s pointing up for Jensen, Fremd
Fremd senior Christine Jensen was in total control on Wednesday night.
The Vikings senior was sharp from start to finish in leading Fremd’s girls gymnastics team to a key Mid-Suburban West triangular victory with a season-best score of 147.75 in Palatine.
Barrington wasn’t too far off pace in securing second place with 143.45 points, followed by Palatine (128.65 points).
Jensen sizzled for the host Vikings, winning the all-around (38.05 points) in a complete performance.
She took first on balance beam (9.7), tied for first on floor exercise (9.6), added a second place finish on parallel bars (9.35) and also threw in a third-place finish on vault (9.40).
“She’s a stud,” said Fremd coach Elise Ference of Jensen, who anchored a powerful Vikings attack that secured the second-best team score in state this season. “She has stepped up and taken on leadership role this season and it comes out in practices and the meets. She is the complete package.”
And the Vikings needed her leadership after graduating five seniors from last season team that captured the third-place trophy at state.
Barrington was on Fremd’s heels after two events, but Jensen helped close the door with her performance on the beam and floor.
“It’s my last year and I just want to go out there and give it my all,” said Jensen. “I’m happy with where I am at, but I’m still looking to upgrade my performance.”
Fremd has already lost sophomore Lisa Radochonski to a season-ending injury. The Vikings were without her sister, Chrissy, on Wednesday, but thanks to a pair of sophomores the team didn’t miss a beat.
Sophomore Carly DeFilippo took third in the all-around (37.05) and sophomore Maggie Bettie (35.85) added a fourth-place finish in the all-around.
DeFilippo started the night by taking first on the vault (9.55), tied for first on the floor (9.6), and added a second-place finish on the beam (9.5).
“We’re all doing a good job of stepping in and filling in the gaps,” said DeFilippo. “We’re starting off the season so well, and there is more to come.”
Barrington is also coming on strong. The Fillies secured the fourth best mark at state last week with a 143.85, and they kept it coming on Wednesday.
Sophomore Abby Hasanov lit up the gym in last week’s dual meet victory over Conant, hitting 9.9’s on vault and floor in securing the all-around title with a 39.0.
On Wednesday, Hasanov won bars (9.45), tied for first on floor (9.6), placed second on vault (9.45) and tied for fourth on beam (9.2) en route to a second-place all-around finish (37.7).
“It always great to compete against Fremd, and it kept us on our toes,” said Hasanov. “We’ve been consistent with our scores and I’m looking forward to seeing where it takes us.”
Senior Brooke Morgan gave the Fillies a lift by taking third on the beam (9.4). Junior Tara Schuman was fourth on floor (9.45), and sophomore Molly Blanke tied for fourth on vault (9.3).
“We wanted to have fun tonight and we’re looking to work hard over winter break,” said Morgan of the Fillies attack. “There is definitely more to come.”
Palatine got a boost from junior Andrea Ori on the floor (9.05) and junior Claudia Przystal on the beam (9.2).
A special Palatine Invite: The Palatine Invitational will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday. There will be a special collection at the Invite dedicated to raising funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation benefit for Olivia Schrader. Olivia is the 6-year-old daughter of Buffalo Grove coach and former Palatine gymnast Stephanie Schrader. Olivia has been diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, and all the funds raised will be in her honor.