Fremd vaults past Mid-Suburban League foes

The Fremd girls gymnastics team set the tone in the Mid-Suburban League meet early.

The Vikings made quick work of their opening vault series, with four finishers in the top six positions and to earn nifty team score of 37.825.

The host Vikings then rode that momentum through the final three events to easily secure their fifth consecutive MSL title (and 23rd overall) with 146.20 points at their own gym in Palatine.

Barrington took second with 143.80 points followed by Hersey (140.65), Palatine (139.85), and Conant (137.90).

"Hands-down, that was one of the best vault series I've seen," said Fremd coach Elise Ference-Saisi. "From the all practices from the last meet until now, the girls have been working hard to get to where they wanted to go. All it took was for them to hit, and they did that tonight."

Senior Carly DeFilippo delivered for the Vikings. She started the night by taking second on the vault (9.55), added a fifth-place finish on the bars (9.0) and was solid on beam (9.0) and floor (9.15).

"The vault series completely started us," said DeFilippo, wo placed third place in the all-around (36.70) in her best meet of the season. "We came in with a lot of confidence, it was our home. Coach told us to hit one and done on vault and that was our mentality."

Senior Gab Lytle (9.475) added a third-place finish on vault, with senior Lisa Radochonski (9.45) tying for fourth place and senior Alyssa Garcia (9.35) tying for sixth place.

Sophomore Melanie Ng and senior Maggie Betti kept thing rolling by tying for fifth place on the beam, and sophomore Abby Moran looked impressive in tying for fourth place on the floor (9.3)

The Vikings have definitely found their rhythm and are looking forward to the season-ending suite of regional, sectional and state.

"Absolutely," said Radochonski. "We're improving each meet and were becoming more consistent and more confident."

Conant's Melynda Meyrick is also looking really confident. The junior, who participated in club gymnastics her first two years, was solid from start to finish in winning the all-around title (37.50).

"It's the day-in and day-out grind and her work ethic that allows her to be successful," said Conant coach Anthony Avella. "I'm very proud of her and she had a great meet."

Meyrick started her night by taking second on the bars (9.25) and followed with third place on beam (9.3). She continued to impress by taking first on the floor (9.6) and ended a special night by tying for sixth on the vault (9.35).

"It's a little bit surprising, but I'm really excited," said Meyrick. "It definitely gives me a boost of confidence, but I still want to remain humble."

Senior Abby Hasanov and senior Molly Blanke gave Barrington a nice 1-2 punch.

Hasanov stumbled a bit to start off her night, falling on both the beam and floor. But the Fillies senior responded in a big way in taking first on vault (9.65) and bars (9.35) finishing in second in the all-around (37.225).

"I started out shaky," said Hasanov, "but I wanted to end with a bang and I just had to push through my early falls and I didn't want to let that happen again."

Blanke complemented her teammate by winning beam (9.4), tying for fourth on the vault (9.45) and finishing fourth in the all-around (36.625).

"I feel like I'm finally getting back into the swing of it," said Blanke, who was slowed early in the season by an ankle injury suffered in last season's sectional. "I felt really good tonight, and I'm feeling confident going into the state series."

Senior Alyssa Zurlo gave Hersey a big lift by ending her night with a third-place finish on the floor (9.4), while Huskies junior Mackenzie Kamysz grabbbed fourth place on beam (9.25).

Palatine freshman Kristin Ure also had a big finish in securing second place on beam (9.35).

"I'm definitely feeling confident on the beam," said Ure. "I'm proud of the way it ended."

Sophomore Abby Amato bolstered Palatine's effort by tying for third on the bars (9.05).

Mikayla Vogt powered Schaumburg by taking second on the floor (9.5). Teammate Jessica Muza tied for third on bars (9.05) in helping lift the Saxons to sixth place.

Rolling Meadow senior Kelly Johnston took fifth in the all-around (36.40), tying for fourth on floor exercise (9.30).