Meadows' Johnston beaming after 9.7 debut
Rolling Meadows senior gymnast Kelly Johnston is picking up where she left off last season.
Johnston had a major breakthrough last season in winning the state title on the balance beam, and the Mustang senior flashed her potential in Tuesday's season-opening dual meet by taking first on the beam with an impressive 9.7.
Johnston competed in only one event, but she made it count in helping host Rolling Meadows to a 131.15-126.25 Mid-Suburban League crossover victory over Schaumburg.
"Her confidence is completely different this season," said Rolling Meadows coach Michael Costa of his senior standout. "Having that experience in the state finals is a huge factor.
"We pulled her back just a little tonight, but she knows what it is going to take."
Johnston was clean on her routine, sticking a double flip-flop layout, holding steady on her leap series and hitting her Ariel dismount.
"Felt a little nervous coming in, but I'm really happy with what I did," said Johnston. "I'm definitely hungry for more. I would like to show my stuff in all my other events too."
Johnston became the first Rolling Meadow gymnast to win a state medal since 1994 while cementing her place as one of the top gymnasts in state.
"Yeah a little bit of pressure is let off," said Johnston of her first state finals appearance, which came after she didn't advance from the preliminary rounds in her first two state trips. "Now I'm just trying to focus on the future and think about state for this year."
Junior Victoria Zervos came up big for the Mustangs with Johnston held to one event. Zervos won the all-around (34.2) and took second on the vault (8.5), bars (8.9), and floor (8.6).
"We have a bunch of potential and everybody has been pushing each other," said Zervos. "This meet helps us realize what we are capable of doing."
Senior Olivia Skwerski added a first-place finish on vault (8.6) and freshman Katie Reicht flashed her potential tying for third on the bars (8.3) and taking fourth on the beam (8.3). Sophomore Jennifer Kokotos tied for second on the vault (8.5).
Senior Caiti Poland and sophomore Mikayla Vogt both qualified to the state meet last season for Schaumburg. The duo paced the Saxons' attack on Tuesday.
Poland, who qualified on the bars last season, took first on the bars (9.2) and added a pair of third-place finishes on beam (8.6) and floor (8.3).
"Having that state experience does help a little bit," said Poland. "I wanted to start off easy and we'll start adding stuff in the next few weeks."
Vogt made quite a splash as a freshman, qualifying to the state meet on the beam. She was back in form on Tuesday, taking first on the floor (9.2), second on beam (8.95) and fourth on vault (8.4).
"It's very exciting," said Vogt of her state qualification. "I feel like I have a lot more experience and I'm ready to put my best effort forward."
Senior Jessica Muza tied for third on the bars (8.3) in aiding a Saxons attack that was missing two varsity members.
"First meet of the season, we wanted to come out here and get some routines done," said Schaumburg coach Elizabeth Proska of her team's performance. "It will only go up from here."