Downers Grove takes title at Oswego sectional

Downers Grove co-op wasn't the biggest team at Monday's Oswego sectional, but it was the best one.

The self-coined Trostangs punched their ticket to the IHSA state finals, scoring a 142.125, finishing nearly three points better than runner-up Lincoln-Way co-op's 139.225.

"Tonight was indescribable," said Downers Grove senior Katrina Carlson who won bars with a 9.425. "We've worked so hard this season, and having a smaller team than a lot of other people means so much more for how far we've come. Getting everyone to get together to work really hard and to win by the margin was just awesome."

Carlson was second in the all-around with a 36.5 while juniors Kathryn Snouffer and Emily Smetana were fourth and fifth respectively with a 36.125 and 35.2. Snouffer also won floor with a 9.275 and beam with a 9.425.

"We really put our best out there," Snouffer said. "Having a smaller team can seem discouraging at times, but I think our presence at competitions and as a team is just as big if not bigger than the other teams. We still bring the noise and bring all the good routines. I'm so proud of us."

All five gymnasts for the sectional champions competed as all-arounders with junior Natalie Simpson scoring a 34.3 and freshman Allison Palansky delivering a 32.4.

"I don't want to say I had no doubt we were going to win," Snouffer said. "But it was almost certain. I was confident and so happy we hit."

Seniors Rigley Jump and Katie Kristle advanced to state in the all-around for Naperville North. Jump was third with a 36.35 and Kristle tied Smetana for fifth with a 35.2.

It's Jump's first state series.

"This was such an amazing experience and it reminded me a little of a club meet, but way more fun," she said. "I'm proud of everyone on my team. There are so many good teams, so many good girls. It was very exciting to watch."

Kristle, who advanced to a sectional in the all-around as a sophomore, is going to state for the first time.

"It's really cool and it's been my goal all four years to make it to state," she said. "I'm just glad that I put it all out there today. I had my best meet of the season."

Hinsdale Central senior Kelly Klobach won the all-around with a 37.125. She also won vault with a 9.475.

Lincoln-Way co-op senior Ellie Slager moved on to Palatine on bars, tying Hinsdale Central junior Charlotte French for fourth place with an 8.65. She also qualified for state on beam with a 9.075 and floor with a 9.1.

Oswego co-op senior Keslie Freundt took third on floor with a 9.15 and fourth on beam with a 9.1 to qualify for the state competition on Feb. 18.

"There was a lot of amazing gymnastics so to make it to state is pretty cool," she said. "I'm super proud of what we put out on the floor today. I'm a little upset that we can't go to state as a team, which was one of our goals this season, but we're really happy with how it turned out. We put together a pretty good meet."

Freshman Sam Phillip will be joining Freundt from Oswego as Phillip took second on vault with a 9.45 as well as second on floor with a 9.25. Phillip was seventh in the all-around with a 35 and could ultimately qualify for state via an at-large berth which won't be determined until Friday.

"It's so awesome that she's going," Freundt said. "Hopefully the program can continue to keep going and maybe they'll make state as a team next year, which would be pretty cool."