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Girls gymanstics: Barrington opens season with win over Hoffman

In different times, girls gymnastics would be in the midst of sectional competition, with the state finals just on the horizon.

On Thursday at Hoffman Estates, the Hawks along with visiting Barrington were just opening up the regular season with no state finals to look forward to. That still didn't diminish the feeling of competing and the love for the sport from the girls for both teams.

"I'll take any competition we can at this point," Barrington coach Jason Loeffler said. "Just such an up-and-down season. We were four days into practice last November and they sent us home. Then we come back and we have half the numbers we had before. It is just a different beast now."

There were some subtle changes to how the meets are conducted.

Gymnasts were not required to wear masks while competing, but they were mandatory when awaiting competition and in the team area. The apparatus was cleaned and sanitized after a team competed on it. And all the meets are dual meets, except for the conference final.

Barrington was missing a pair of gymnasts who powered the Fillies to a second-place finish in the Mid-Suburban League meet a year ago. Brooke Husby was on a college visit while Sofia Rosezweig couldn't compete for health reasons.

But Barrington, which had just one senior, competing, looked solid for its first meet as it topped Hoffman Estates 140.25-109.85.

"First-meet jitters, obviously," Loeffler said. "We are deep. We had some freshmen up on varsity and a sophomore that is new to the team. It was kind of cool to see what they could do today."

Barrington's Elenora Marquis won the all-around with a 36.00. She also had the top score on the bars with a 9.20 and the floor with a 9.55.

"I think with the circumstances we are in, I am trying to make the best of it," said Marquis, who is a sophomore. "So it has been a fun year so far. "

Marquis got solid support from freshman Anika Patel, who was tops on the vault with an 8.90 and Jade Moranetz, who won the beam with an 8.90.

Hoffman Estates was also short-handed.

The Hawks were without Sol Serratos, who will be out this shortened season after opting to have knee surgery.

"I have to get surgery soon for my knee and that is coming up at the end of the month," said Serratos, who is a junior. "It's disappointing but a necessity. I'll come back stronger for next season."

Hoffman Estates coach Dave Calisch, who also has a young team, said he is just making sure his team gets the experience it needs.

"We are not in any hurry this year," Calisch said. "They did a great job. They are all true freshmen. Ten days ago they came out for gymnastics and today they are throwing routines."

Calisch still had Elyssa Wuerffel, who is a junior and was third in the conference last year in the all-around. Wuerffel, who is coming back from an injury herself, competed in just two events and finished second on the floor with a 9.30.

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