Girls gymnastics: Ng, Fremd roar to MSL victory
There was no stopping Fremd senior Melanie Ng and the Vikings on Wednesday night in the Mid-Suburban League girls gymnastics meet.
Ng was sharp from start to finish in securing the all-around title (37.525) and powering Fremd to its 24th MSL title with a season-best 145.875 at Elk Grove.
She started her night with a solid vault (9.1), kept the momentum going by taking second on uneven bars (9.55), didn't blink in winning with a sizzling beam (9.6) and capped her night with a seventh-place finish on floor exercise (9.275).
"Pretty special night," said Ng. "It's pretty cool - I was finally able to hit it at this meet, and I'm so proud of my team."
Palatine offered a consistent attack in taking second with 140.10. Barrington (139.75) held off defending MSL champion Conant (139.375) for third, with Prospect (136.725) taking fifth.
Last year Fremd had its streak of five consecutive MSL titles broken by Conant, but the Vikings were back on top on Wednesday thanks to Ng's huge performance.
"She's been really focused," said Fremd coach Kasey Kronforst. "She's been working for it, and tonight she put all the pieces together."
Fremd was feeling a bit of heat from Barrington and Palatine after two events, but on the third rotation the Vikings used beam to get some separation.
Senior Abby Moran (9.55) took second on beam, combining with Ng's victory to give the Vikings a big boost.
Fremd then sealed the victory with a dazzling floor performance (37.175). Moran tied for first (9.5), while sophomore Sam Shirmer tied for fifth (9.3).
"This means so much," said Moran. "Last year we didn't do as well as wished we could, but that makes tonight mean that much more."
Shirmer added a fifth-place finish on vault (9.25), while Gianna Christodoulopoulos tied for fifth on bars (9.05) and also added solid scores on vault (9.2) and beam (9.0). Junior Katie Watson also supported the Vikings' effort with a nice floor routine (9.1).
"It was fun," said Kronforst of the Vikings title run. "It was a big night and we are really excited."
Freshman Alyssa Eckels came up big in powering Palatine. She took third on the bars (9.2) and added a fifth-place finish on beam (9.35). Senior Abby Amato had a big contribution on bars, where she tied for fifth (9.05).
"I thought the team brought a lot of energy tonight," said Eckels. "After my teammates hit on bars it brought my confidence up, and the seniors have really set the tone."
Barrington also recorded a season-best score. Sophomore Lauren Tenbrunsel finished sixth in the all-around (35.625); she set the tone early with a fourth-place finish on beam (9.4). Sara Ruesch sparked the effort by taking fourth on vault (9.3), and freshman Brook Husby (9.35) supplied a third-place finish on floor.
"We definitely rallied," said Tenbrunsel. "We've worked really hard and we have been cleaning everything up."
Hoffman Estates sophomore Karli Ryan took second in the all-around (36.6) and finished first on the vault (9.45).
"After vault I felt pretty good," said Ryan. "I just wanted to do my best."
Hersey senior Mackenzie Kamysz took third in the all-around (36.35), tied for first on floor (9.5) and grabbed third on beam (9.45).
"It felt good," said Kamysz of her night. "I started strong and ended strong."
Prospect freshman Olivia Tader took fourth in the all-around (36.125) and placed second on vault (9.35).
Schaumburg senior Mikayla Vogt also had a nice night which produced a fifth-place all-around finish (36.0). She also was third on vault (9.325) and fourth on floor (9.325).
Rolling Meadows sophomore Nicole Kane won the uneven bars (9.6). It was Kane's third meet back after suffering an early season injury, and she made it count.
"I definitely wasn't expecting that," said Kane of her bar performance. "I was kind of shaky in warmups, but it came together."