Carmel's Keane finishes things off in style

It has been a trying 18 months for Carmel's Clare Keane.

The senior headed into the 2022 girls gymnastics season coming off hip surgery. She then tore a ligament in her foot just before the season began. Right after she returned, she suffered a concussion during warmups and was out for a week.

Despite all that, Keane fought back to help lead her team to a fifth-place finish with a score of 144.775 at Friday's team portion of the state final meet. Keane then topped things off by finishing second in two events Saturday at individual finals, held at Palatine High School.

"You can't be mad about that," Keane said. "I honestly didn't think I would be competing here today. I liked the fact that I could hit for my team (Friday) and just do so well today.

Keane tied for second with Buffalo Grove's Olivia Tangora on the bars with a 9.50. She then followed with a second-place finish on the beam with a 9.30.

"It is nice knowing you can push through that adversity and come out on the other side," Keane said.

Also pushing through adversity was Libertyville's Anna Becker. The senior fell on two events Friday and qualified for two events Saturday.

Becker, who is a senior, also returned with a chip on her shoulder. She tied Vernon Hills' Lily Tran for the vault title with a 9.725. Becker also finished fourth on the bars with a 9.425.

"I didn't let my downfalls (Friday) get to me," Becker said. "I came in with confidence and really pushed through and I am proud of the outcome."

Tran was also proud of her performance. The freshman said she was shocked by the way she was able to perform.

"I am really excited," Tran said. "I wasn't expecting that. I am really happy."

Tran's teammate, sophomore Anika Chudy, also brought home a medal, tying for third on the balance beam with a 9.25.

"I had some wobbles, but I am glad I could stay on," said Chudy, who also had a sixth-place finish on the vault with a 9.625 and 10th on the bars with a 9.075.

"I was definitely relieved when I landed my dismount," she said.

Tran and Chudy helped Vernon Hills hold off DeKalb for second place in the team competition. Vernon Hills scored 146.70 to just finish ahead of DeKalb's 146.575. Prairie Ridge co-op won its second consecutive state championship with a 148.50.

"The girls put in the hard work," Vernon Hills coach Denise Caton said. "I couldn't be happier. A podium finish as a team, there is nothing better."

Lake Zurich's Rayna Kauffman, who was named senior gymnast of the year on Friday, added to her great weekend when she finished third on the floor with a 9.40. It also enable Lake Zurich to finish in sixth place with a 143.525 to finish just ahead of Stevenson's 143.50.

"It is an amazing feeling to end my senior season like this," Kauffman said. "This is best way possible."

Warren's Amanda Hamann also hit the awards podium. The junior had a 9.65 on her vault to finish fourth.

"I was just happy to make it to state," said Hamann, who is a junior. "And then to be able to qualify for finals is just something added to that. I am so excited to being able to bring a medal home."

Also qualifying for state, but not finishing in the top five, were Vernon Hills' Shihori Takenaka and Stevenson's Ashley Schabes and Ally Gitler.

Takenaka was ninth on the beam with an 8.65. Schabes was sixth on the vault with a 9.625 and seventh on the floor with a 9.25. Gitler was sixth on the bars with a 9.225 and ninth on the floor with a 9.05.

DeKalb's Madeline Kees won the bars with a 9.65 and the beam with a 9.425. Prairie Ridge's Gracie Willis and Gabriella Riley won the floor with 9.675.