Geneva gets big score to edge Wheaton Warrenville co-op
The Illinois Best is the one and only yearly invitational that forces a team to use one all-arounder and four single-event specialists.
It’s a difficult test for all competitors because teams count all eight scores and any struggles contribute to the final score.
Geneva’s afternoon wasn’t about struggles but all about successes as the Vikings defended their title from last year while putting together one of the finest meets in Illinois Best history.
The Vikings needed it, narrowly edging runner-up Wheaton Warrenville co-op, 72.425 to 71.375.
The 72.425 points were the second most scored in the 28-year history of the invitational, eclipsed only by Oswego’s 72.675 in 1998. That was the same season the Panthers placed third in the state.
“They all did everything we asked them to do and we had a very good outcome,” Vikings coach Kim Hostman said. “All in all it was a very good meet.”
Geneva senior Dominique Brognia won the all-around title , scoring a 9.05 or better in all four events to finish with a 36.875.
“She’s been fighting shin splints so I was toying with switching her up last night, but we iced her last night and this morning and let her go,” Hostman said. “She had a phenomenal day and has really become a great leader.”
Her teammates also shined, even though they had to adjust to the format of the meet. Grace Ginsberg won floor with a 9.225, Claire Scatterday took top honors on beam with an 8.975 and Megan Beitzel placed second on vault with a 9.35. Scores from all-arounders were not included in the individual event competition.
“I think it’s a more stressful event because there’s no room for mistakes,” Hostman said. “We basically just focused on routines and keeping things clean and sticking their landings. We knew if we did that and stayed relaxed we’d get a good outcome.”
Wheaton Warrenville co-op’s Audrey Channon paced the hosts to second place, getting second in the all-around with a 35.55, but it was the combination of her scores with those from her teammates that pushed the team toward the top of the standings.
“I think we showed a lot about our team today,” Channon said. “We still have a lot of work to do and can get better as we become more confident, but we did pretty well today.”
The hosts received second-place finishes on floor from Brooke Stewart and beam from Julia Loncanto, while Lenna Klein won vault with a 9.4 and Jordan Lane took home the top prize on bars with a Tommy Tutone-esque 8.675.
“I love swinging on the bar and don’t find it to be scary at all,” Lane said. “I was happy to get my routine together and show it off.”
Glenbard East’s Karen Sebby took third on bars with an 8.05, and freshman Veronika Srey was fourth in the all-around with a 34 as the Rams placed fourth with a 65.975.
Batavia’s Laura Manzinger was third on floor with an 8.75, and Courtney Glassman was third on vault with an 8.7 as the Bulldogs claimed sixth place with a 62.85.
Other area teams included Glenbard West (62.675), Waubonsie Valley/Metea Valley co-op (58.4) and Glenbard South (57.475).