Girls gymnastics: Kane's comeback leads to medal on bars
Rolling Meadows sophomore Nicole Kane definitely beat the odds this season.
After fracturing her left tibia on Dec. 4, it seemed like a longshot that the Mustangs sophomore would make it back this season, let alone qualify for the state meet.
But Kane defied the odds.
And at Saturday's state finals at Palatine High School, she rolled a pair of snake eyes in claiming third-place on bars (9.525) to earn her first state medal.
"The odds - they were a lot," said Kane of her amazing comeback. "I didn't even think I would be able to compete again this season. I was kind of the underdog - I'm so grateful for even being here."
Rolling Meadows trainer Humaira Baig put her comeback into perspective.
"Amazing," said Baig, who played a key role in helping return Kane to action. "With the work she had to do to get back, it was all impact. We had to tone it down a lot. We went back to the basics and built her back up."
Kane just added her double-back dismount last Friday, and performed it for the first time in Friday's preliminaries and nailed it once again on Saturday.
"She pulled it all together," said Rolling Meadows coach Michael Costa. "We were very skeptical but I told her before she went up 'Do you want to be good or do you want to be great? Today is the day you need to be great.' And she was great."
Kane was also a bit more steady with her hand stands on Saturday, which elevated her performance.
"I was tenth coming into the finals," Kane said. "So I knew I couldn't do worse, so I just let it loose."
Glenbard West junior Maddie Diab won the all-around title on Friday and she continued her momentum on Saturday.
The Hilltoppers junior took first on the floor (9.725), added a second-place finish on bars (9.55) and tied for second on vault (9.625) in powering Glenbard West to its first state title with 150.05 points.
Three-time defending state champion Prairie Ridge co-op took second with 149.10 points as the Wolves earned their seventh consecutive state trophy.
"That is something we are really proud of," said Prairie Ridge co-op coach Lee Battaglia of the trophy streak. "We have a strong nucleus coming back and it gives the kids something to shoot for next year - to go back and get the title back."
Glenbrook South (146.60) took third place followed by New Trier (146.275) and Maine South (146.225).
Prairie Ridge co-op junior Maddy Kim took first on the bars (9.6). The Wolves junior added a blind pirouette to her routine that helped her secure the title.
"I just wanted a medal, I didn't even care what color," said Kim who finished fifth on bars last season. "So getting first was surreal and emotional, it's really nice because everyone dreams of being first."
Junior Ciara Ryan, who took third in the all-around on Friday, added another medal on Saturday tying for second on the vault (9.625).
Junior Kira Karlblom also came up big by tying for fourth on the floor (9.55). Karlblom also tied for fourth on floor last season.
"We all put in 110 percent," said Kim of the Wolves' performance. "How can you be mad with second? I'm just happy to be here and competing at state."
Conant sophomore Kennedy O'Connor became the third consecutive Cougars gymnast to earn a state medal on beam.
Mel Meyrick took fifth on beam in 2015 and Bailey Bloom took fifth on beam in 2016. O'Connor kept the streak going by securing a fourth-place medal on beam (9.35).
O'Connor nailed a wolf jump, back tuck early in her routine that keyed her series.
"She nailed it," said Conant coach Anthony Avella of the pivotal skill. "As soon as she made that, she had that confidence. She was on today and Friday."
O'Connor seemed to come into her own during the state series. She definitely showed it on Saturday.
"I'm pretty happy," said O'Connor of her big night. "I'm definitely feeling confident and I've worked really hard and I've been getting everything consistent. Beam is my strong suit right now."
"She keeps elevating to her competition," added Avella of his rising star. "One thing I can say about her is she is a competitor and she is able to turn it on."
Hersey senior Mackenzie Kamysz was also able to turn it on this weekend earning her first state finals appearance on floor.
The Huskies senior once again had a clean series in earning an eighth-place finish on floor (9.40).
"It definitely felt good," Kamysz said. "The energy on floor really gets me going. It was special to make finals."
Fremd seniors Melanie Ng and Abby Moran concluded their careers in Saturday's finals on beam.
Ng (8.7) took ninth place while Moran (8.45), who was competing in her second consecutive finals on beam, took 12th.
"It was a great experience," Ng said of her first finals appearance. "I'm happy to end it here."
"I didn't even expect to make finals," Moran added. "It's a good way to end my senior year."
DeKalb co-op junior Madison Hickey took first on vault (9.75) while Wheaton Warrenville co-op sophomore Jamie Labue took first on beam (9.525).
Schaumburg senior Mikayla Vogt, who qualified to the state meet on vault and floor, was awarded as Senior Gymnast of the Year by the Illinois High School Girls Gymnastic Coaches Association.
The award is based on gymnastic skills, volunteer work, and academics.
Vogt is currently carrying a 4.0 GPA and does volunteer work at her church. She also helps coach gymnastics for kids with special needs.
"Such a nice way to end my year," Vogt said. "I'm grateful for the award and it means so much for me."