Rolling Meadows' Kane makes strong return
Nicole Kane had been waiting for her chance to return. And although it was triumphant for the Rolling Meadows star, it still showed what she will be force to deal with when the state series begins in February.
Kane, who was second in the state last year in the all-around, has not been able to compete in the vault this season due to a stress fracture in her effort arm. Because of that, she was not able to have an all-around score.
On Thursday at the Wheeling triangular, Kane was able to compete for the first time on the vault and in turn, have an all-around score. Kane was fifth on vault with an 8.80 and second in the all-around with a 35.80.
"It was fun to get back in the all-around," said Kane, who did win the high bar with a 9.00. "I haven't done it all season. My arm felt fine. I did an easier vault and didn't flip because I am just getting back into it. "
Kane's teammate, Caitlin Widawski, won the all-around with a 36.45. She also won the beam with a 9.30.
With Kane, Widawski and Melina Moreno, who tied for vault with a 9.40 leading the way, the Mustangs posted their highest score of the season with a 141.45.
"You get what you give," said Rolling Meadows coach Michael Costa, who also got strong performances from Jenna Byrne, Brooklyn Hextall, Abigail Adams and Roula Zervos.
"We had a tough meet last week and worked hard to improve that. We spent time over the break working on skills and not enough reps. We talked about that and changed what we did in the gym this past week. Tonight we went 13 of 16, so it shows what that work will do."
Hersey struggled on the beam but rallied on the other three events to finish with a 145.50.
"We started off a little rocky on the beam," Hersey coach Shannon Barrett said. "Our focus is to try to get last those nerves. Afterwards we made corrections and hit all three events. I was proud of the way were able to come back."
Emma Hupp, who tied on the vault with a 9.40, tied teammate Elizabeth Berk on the floor with a 9.50.
"I have been working really hard on my vault in practice" said Hupp, who was third in the all-around with a 35.20.
"I have been working on getting my chest higher and we put that in today. I have been doing this vault all season but tonight is when it got better."
Berk, was fourth in the all-around with a 35.10. The Huskies also got huge help from Elise Forsline, Lauren Bayer, Taylor Woosley, Kamilia Gilowski and Nina Bailitz.
It was also a good meet for host Wheeling. The Wildcats, who got solid work from Emily Zajac, Maydelin Alfaro, Jada Starks and Tiffany Emery, scored a 90.30.
"It went really well for the girls tonight," Wheeling assistant coach Cali Parisi said. "I thought everyone gave it their all. We have been improving this season and continuing to have fun."