Rolling Meadows' Kane seizes the opportunity
Rolling Meadows' Nicole Kane made the most of her second chance.
Kane, who was second at the state girls gymnastics meet last year on the bars, was just able to qualify this year as an at-large performer. She took that opportunity and made the most of it, scoring a 9.55 during Friday's prelims to qualify for Saturday's individual finals.
"It was a lot of practice," said Kane, who is a senior. "Last week was a fluke. It never happens. It was lucky that I got to be here. So I was making sure to stay tight and do what I know how to do and not overthink."
Rolling Meadows coach Michael Costa said that Kane was solidly focused this week in practice.
"Once we found out that she made it through, we call it 'redemption week,' " Costa said. "She came in like a totally different athlete. She really got after it this week."
Fremd's return to the state finals as a team didn't quite go as the Vikings had hoped Friday.
Fremd, which was making its first appearance as a team in the last four years, had a slow start. The Vikings did have a solid finish in the final two rotations to finish with a 140.225.
Unfortunately for the Vikings, they stand in eighth place after the first day of competition at the 43rd annual state finals at Palatine High School.
Prairie Ridge leads after Friday's competition with a 147.80. Lake Zurich, making its first appearance, is second with a 147.575 and Carmel is third with a 147.525.
After some disappointing seasons, Fremd was happy to be back at the state meet.
"We didn't know If this would be in the cards for us this year," said Fremd coach Kacey Kronforst, who is in her third year as head coach.
"I told the girls that getting here was our biggest accomplishment. We are a young team and I think their nerves showed tonight. The girls had a great season. They worked real hard."
Katie Vessel finished 28th in the all-around with a 35.35.
"Today did not go exactly as we planned," said Vessel, who is a senior. "We had the opportunity to come here which was great for the team and our ultimate goal. We ended strong in floor and bars tonight and I am very proud of what we have accomplished."
Fellow senior Sam Shirmer said she knew early on that this team was destined to change things.
"I could tell that this team was different from those in the past," Shirmer said. "That was the main goal was to get to state. So no matter how it went, I feel like we did great."
Barrington's Alana Riemenschneider was the only other gymnast from the Northwest suburbs to qualify for the finals. Riemenschneider, who was the last at-large qualifier on the bars to the sectionals and an at-large qualifier to state, scored a 9.10 on the beam and will be in Saturday's finals.
"I did not know how it would go and it is going rally well," Riemenschneider said. "I stayed on and that was a big deal to me. I just tried to do what I do normally in practice."
Barrington coach Jason Loeffler said the state meet can have many twists and turns.
"Alana has seen it," Loeffler, said. "Anything can happen at this meet. She is one of our most solid beamers on our team. She goes up there and does her job, it is fun to watch."
Prairie Ridge's Gabriella Riley won the all-around with a 37.85. Glenbard West's Anna Diab was second with a 37.75 and Lake Zurich's Kayla Bailey was third with a 37.725.
Schaumburg's Alexis Rothmeyer was 18th with a 36.30, Palatine's Jocie Waddington was 24th with a 36.00 and Maine East's Afroditi Baltsas was 29th with a 35.575.