Scouting Fox girls gymnastics
Top returning athletes: Batavia - Natalie Hayden (Jr., all-around), Kaitlyn Wesender (Sr., vault, bars); Geneva - Olivia Takesue (Sr., all-around); Prairie Ridge - Teagan Perrone (Sr., all-around), Gabby Riley (So., all-around); Gracie Willis (Jr., all-around); St. Charles co-op - Jen Nickel (Sr., all-around)
Top team: Prairie Ridge co-op
Season outlook: Prairie Ridge co-op (2015-2017, 2020) won its fourth state title in six years last February, joining the select company of Addison Trail (1978-1981), Fremd (1994-1999) and Stevenson (2001-2004) to do so. Could the Wolves have made it five titles in the past seven years this season, if there were a postseason? They certainly were ready to give it a shot. "Definitely before the shutdown the girls were excited," Wolves coach Lee Battaglia said. "We've got a phenomenal crew of kids and they were totally excited to try to regain the trophy. It's a big honor for them with it, so they were excited to try to do it one more and then all this happened." The Wolves return sophomore Gabby Riley who led the Wolves to the state title, winning the all-around and beam, and junior Gracie Willis who is the defending floor exercise champ. In addition, senior Teagan Perone, junior Sophia Krcik and sophomores Audrey Burke and Paige Madel also return while freshmen Elle Thistlethwaite and Rebecca Weaver join the squad. The entire varsity squad, which has four Cary-Grove, three Prairie Ridge and one Crystal Lake South athlete, are club gymnasts. "One of the advantages is they're training at Crystal Lake Gymnastics for the entire year," Battaglia said. "So they're dedicated year round and rotate club and high school which is a huge benefit."
It may seem like a lifetime ago that Olivia Bartolotta and Taylor Novotny, a pair of 2020 graduates, were competing for the Bulldogs. Batavia's longtime coach Taryn Boyce knew she had to prepare for a team without the two fixtures this winter, but she had no idea it would be anything like this. It's certainly going to be different, but gymnasts are all about challenging themselves and overcoming adversity. Bring it on. "This year has certainly been one of the strangest in my years of coaching, but despite the current situation, these girls have really pulled through for one another in order to maintain a positive attitude," Boyce said. "It is truly inspiring to see this team stay so focused and determined during such an uncertain time." Senior specialists Kaitlyn Wesender (vault, bars), Kendall Tollas (bars) and junior all-arounder Natalie Hayden return while sophomore Grace Cooper and freshman Marisa Serpico will get their first taste of high school gymnastics. "Even though our season has been cut drastically short, we are extremely grateful to have the opportunity to compete this year," Boyce said. "The team is more than ready to go into competitions and have fun doing the sport they love."
Geneva coach Kim Hostman and her staff always make it a point to make senior year a special one for their gymnasts and they will undoubtedly do the same again this year despite the challenging circumstances. "Getting the kids back in competition will be good for their physical and mental health," Hostman said. "We have a fantastic group of girls with great work ethic and positive attitudes. With the experience of the seniors and other returnees as well as the newcomers we should be a strong team this shortened season." All-arounder Olivia Takesue, who took third in the all-around at the Glenbard West regional last year, and specialists Katie Beitzel and Kathryn Wendt get to enjoy a senior season of gymnastics and lead this Vikings team. Junior Kate Nitshcke and sophomore Maura Anderson return as all-arounders while Maeve Delvin, Brooke Lusnig and Graci Weems are among the promising new Vikings. Last year, the Vikings hit a high of 136.85.
St. Charles co-op coach Amy Wojdelko returns after taking a few years off after having a baby. With her young son set for his first gymnastics class this Saturday, Wojdelko is back in the mix as well, returning after a three-year hiatus to coach a team in a year like no other. "This year we are just looking to have fun and make the best of this crazy year and season," she said. "I am lucky to have such a great group of girls to work with. They work hard and make coaching fun and I am lucky to be coaching again with Tom (Wirth) as well. We look forward to seeing what these girls accomplish this season and beyond." St. Charles has a tiny team with just six gymnasts, but packs a wallop with senior Sydney Kamin, the team's top gymnast, serving in a coach's/injured leader role after having surgery in the fall. Kamin and fellow senior Jen Nickel have postseason experience from a season ago, but that's it. Kamin has helped Wojdelko return to coaching while assisting efforts for her teammates and Nickel is expected to provide scores and senior leadership. "(Nickel) leads by example," Wojdelko said. "(Kamin) is still very much a part of the team and supports her teammates." Junior Gabby Potempa and sophomores Lucy Brutlag, Cadence Chappel, Annahlise Evanoff and Ava Rosenberg round out the team, all who will compete as all-arounders because of the small roster.