Prospect's Larock, Rolling Meadows' Johnston savor all-around success
Prospect senior Maddie Larock and Rolling Meadows junior Kelly Johnston both are eyeing a big finish at the girls gymnastics state meet this season.
Larock and Johnston took a big step toward that goal on Saturday, putting on state-worthy performances in tying for the all-around with 37.50 at the Prospect Invitational.
Larock took first on the bars (9.5) and had second-place finishes on vault (9.65) and beam (9.55) in leading the Knights to the team title with a season-best score of 144.3.
Schaumburg hit a season-best 140.45 to take second, followed by Rolling Meadows (134.85), Buffalo Grove (132.35), Elk Grove (115.60) and Wheeling (109.95).
Last season Larock qualified for state on all four events, including the all-around. She is hoping Saturday can be a launching pad of sorts for another extended postseason run.
“For sure,” said Larock of her sterling performance. “I'm feeling stronger and we're getting some girls back from injuries. I think we're starting to build momentum.”
Johnston is also building a bit of momentum after a cautious start to the season. She hit a 36.05 in the all-around on Monday at a triangular meet, then trumped that effort Saturday by taking first on beam (9.7), taking second on bars (9.4) and floor (9.25) and fourth on vault (9.15).
“I'm definitely feeling it,” said Johnston of her recent roll. “I think I'm going in full force for the state series.”
Johnston qualified for state on the floor, beam, and all-around last season, but missed making it to Saturday's finals. That is providing a bit of motivation this season.
“That sparked her,” said Rolling Meadows coach Michael Costa. “She's driven — this is what she has been training for all season.”
Prospect was in fine form from start to finish, with sophomore Olivia Gonzalez (37.25) taking third in the all-around and combining with Larock to lead the Knights.
Gonzalez was strong all afternoon, winning vault (9.7) and floor (9.6) to signal her own bid for a big state finish.
“Yeah, it feels like it's coming together,” said Gonzalez of her all-around performance.
Senior Maddie Boldt also gave the Knights a big lift with a third-place finish on the bars (9.35).
“We've all been feeding off each other's energy,” said Boldt of the Knights' season-best performance. “That score definitely gives us a boost in confidence and we keep getting girls back from injuries, so we're only going to improve.”
Schaumburg freshman Mikayla Vogt injected a bit of energy into the Saxons' attack by taking third on vault (9.2), beam (9.4), and floor (9.1). The Saxons freshman has come back strong from a summer injury and is starting to flash her potential, especially in a strong beam performance to complete her day.
“It felt really good,” said Vogt of her beam routine. “But I couldn't do it without my team; we're pushing each other and seeing a lot of improvement.”
Schaumburg finished strong on the bars and beam. Junior Jessica Muza (9.3) was fourth on beam, and junior Caiti Poland (9.05) and senior Samantha Panther (9.0) had strong performances on the bars, while junior Alyssa Kizska (9.1) placed fifth on the beam.
“We definitely picked it up the second half of the meet,” said Schaumburg coach Elizabeth Proska. “Our goal is always to get better, and it feels like we're on the right track.”
Buffalo Grove junior Diandra Duenser continued to impress, taking fourth on the bars (9.2) and floor (9.0) on the way to a fourth-place finish in the all-around (35.85), all of which helped the Bison to a season-best score.
“I'm definitely feeling stronger and I'm polishing off my routines,” Duenser said. “I started strong on the beam and that fed into my best-ever performance on floor, and I was able to hit on the bars.”
Junior Katie Oswald gave Elk Grove a lift by finishing seventh on the vault (8.85).
Junior Meghan Aguayo aided Wheeling by placing fifth on the beam (8.95).
at Fremd: Fremd junior Carly DeFilippo had a big day in powering the Vikings to a big performance in the Mari-Rae Sopper Invitational they hosted.
DeFilippo took second in the all-around (36.925) in leading the Vikings to the team title with a season-best score 147.825 in Palatine.
DeFilippo took third on the vault (9.4) and beam (9.375) and added a fifth place finish on bars (9.25) in elevating the Vikings.
Kelsy Kurfirst took first in the all-around (38.10) helping defending state champion Lyons Township to a second-place finish with 144.65, followed by St. Charles Co-op (142.45), Glenbrook North (137.35), and Downers Grove South (137.15). Palatine (134.60) took seventh in the nine team field.
DeFilippo had plenty of support, with senior Sydney Plichta taking first on the bars (9.55) and freshman Abby Moran adding a first-place finish on beam (9.6).
Senior Christine Radochonski kept the Vikings rolling with a second-place finish on floor (9.5) and taking fourth in the all-around (36.65). Junior Mariah Gura added a fourth-place finish on beam (9.35) and sophomore Kailyn Bryk contributed a fifth-place finish on vault (9.3) in a powerful performance by the Vikings.
Kurfirst, the defending floor exercise state champion, added first-place finishes for Lyons on vault (9.65) and floor (9.7).
St. Charles co-op also had a strong day with Devon Ross taking second on vault (9.45) and Emma Grace Redmond-Mattuci taking third on bars (9.45), fourth on floor (9.35), and fifth in the all-around (36.25).
Kayla Carlson led Downers Grove South by taking second on beam (9.4).
Lake County Invite: Barrington took top honors at Lake Forest, winning the team title with a season-best score of 147.1. Carmel Catholic was runner-up at 145 and Mundelein was third at 141.735.
“We've worked hard, and I told the girls this is your last hurrah before the conference and the state series,” Barrington coach Jason Loeffler said. “I think some of the girls were able to showcase some of their new stuff here. We may have had some falls, but it all worked out for us. I think this puts us in a good spot.”
Barrington's Abby Hasanov was third in the all-around 37.77. She was consistent most of the meet, with a third on floor (9.75), second on bars (9.5) and third on vault (9.65).
“Our teammates had a positive outlook on this meet,” Hasanov said. “It definitely helped, and we all root for each other and support the team. It was a good time to show what we got.”
The Fillies' Jessica Lee, working her way back from an ACL injury, competed in three events. She chalked up with the top beam routine with a 9.65 and also competed bars and floor.
“I'm still not doing the vault, but hoping I can do it by the end of the season,” Lee said. “My favorite event was beam, because I can get up there and be consistent.”
The Fillies' Molly Blanke placed second on vault (9.70) and third on beam (9.45).
— Rusty Silber