Mundelein wins regional title to move on

Mundelein's girls gymnastics team found a way to return to the sectional by taking the top spot in its own regional on Tuesday night.

The Mustangs posted a 141.225 for first place, followed by Lake Forest (138.65), Evanston (131.4) and Niles North (130.675).

Mundelein has joined Glenbrook South as advancing teams for next Wednesday's Stevenson sectional. Lake Forest sits in the second of two at-large spots with Stevenson ahead of it.

There's still two regionals left to take place this week. The Carmel regional was postponed on Wednesday for the extremely cold weather conditions and moved to Friday, along with the New Trier regional which is still set for Thursday.

On Tuesday, the Mustangs had enough to get them to the next part of the state series.

"We knew this one might be close, but it's good to get back to sectionals," Mundelein coach Jesse Piland said. "We've got some definite things that we can improve upon. The good news is that we have another shot to improve upon it by going to sectionals.

For the Mustangs, they are trying to get better in starting the state series and wanting to reach their goal of making the state meet as a team."

"We're definitely where we want to be confidence-wise," Piland added. "Hitting some of the routines that we haven't hit earlier. But on this particular night, we also had a couple of the girls who didn't hit routines that normally would. So, we were up and down a little bit in this meet. Overall, this is where we want to be. But we could go up another couple of points if we can really hit."

Mundelein's Sydney Naddy chalked up top honors on the uneven bars with a 9.0 and she really worked hard for it coming into the regional.

"I've been working on that routine for the last couple of weeks," Naddy said. "I've been practicing hard. My one big goal for today was to make that routine. I knew that it would help the team. Bars has been one of my favorite events."

The Mustangs' Emma Hallin was the runner-up in the all-around with 35.95 right behind Lake Forest's Kristin Fisch (36.825). Hallin also had placed second on floor (9.4), beam (9.1) and vault (9.225).

"For sectionals, I do need to work a little harder helping my team out," Hallin said. "It's a little easier this year, because we've had more team-bonding, closer and more support."

Audrey Kafka tied for fourth with Lake Forest's Taylor Cekay on vault (9.05). She also had finished second on bars (8.8) while Amanda Muench placed third on beam (8.975) and Elle Mishler was in the fourth spot on beam (8.85)

The Scouts' Fisch earned the top spots on floor (9.55), vault (9.475) and on beam (9.15).