All Glenbrook South coach Steve Gale asked of his girls gymnasts was that they compete against themselves at the Mundelein Sectional. He didn’t want them to worry about what everybody else was doing.
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The game plan worked as the Titans finished first with 142.625 points on Monday. It was the program’s first sectional title.
The six teams were separated by less than four points. The host Mustangs scored a 141.325, and Carmel placed third at 141.125. New Trier and Warren tied for fourth at 139.250, while Glenbrook North finished with 139.075.
“We did not look or ask about the scores,” senior Kaci Castino said. “As long as we did our best, we were going to be happy. But this is awesome. I’m still in shock.”
The sectional team champion automatically advanced to the Feb. 20-21 state meet at Palatine. The top five individuals and ties also qualified for the state meet. At-large bids will be announced after the last sectional is completed.
Gale said his gymnasts were nearly perfect Monday, and he credited that to their approach.
“I just told them to do what you’re supposed to do, and the scores will take care of themselves,” he said. “We had one miss. I would have liked to have been perfect, but this is very good.”
Glenbrook South freshman Bebe Haramaras was the team’s top finisher, taking second on the balance beam at 9.275. Sophomore Hannah Hartley took third on the floor exercise (9.600) and fourth on the vault (9.450). Sophomore Katie Wahl also earned an automatic trip to the state meet by tying for fifth on the vault (9.400).
“There is a lot of good stuff happening with this team,” Gale said.
Loyola
Following a flawless routine on the beam, Claire Sullivan stumbled on her dismount, mostly because she lost her footing at the edge of the pad.
The junior all-arounder mustered “shoot” under her breath before a smile returned to her face.
More than anything else, Loyola coach Shelli Sullivan said she’s proud of her daughter’s attitude with the sport.
“She’s a joyful gymnast,” said Shelli Sullivan, whose daughter competes as an individual. “She keeps it all in perspective.”
Claire Sullivan will make her second trip to the state meet in two seasons after earning automatic qualification in the beam, bars and all-around. She finished first on the beam (9.300), fourth in the all-around (36.825) and fifth on the bars (9.100).
“I love the beam, and I’ve been working on my form,” Claire Sullivan said. “I was nervous at the beginning of the year, but I am gaining more confidence.”
As for the slip at the end, she said she wasn’t upset.
“I just knew I could do it better,” she said of the landing. “But I’m extremely happy with the routine.”
Glenbrook North
Carli Betman said she didn’t put too much pressure on herself at Monday’s meet and treated the sectional more like a practice session.
That especially was true on the floor exercise, where the senior said she performed her best routine of the season. Betman’s 9.550 was good for fourth and a trip to the state meet.
“I focused on my form, and my tumbling was higher than before,” she said. “In the past, I worried more about getting through it without a fall. You can’t go into this thinking about stuff. You have to have an open mind.”
Betman also advanced on the vault, finishing in a tie for fifth at 9.400. She took seventh on the beam with an 8.850.
Sophomore Alexandra Michalak was the team’s other automatic qualifier, finishing fourth on the beam after an 8.950. The Spartans placed sixth as a team with 139.075 points.
New Trier
The Trevians received bad news when senior all-arounder Sam Stoddart was diagnosed with mononucleosis in late January. She missed the conference meet, the regional meet and Monday’s sectional.
“Bad timing,” New Trier coach Jennifer Pistorius said. “We feel for her. But she’s come to practice if she can, and she’s supported the team at the meets.”
New Trier finished tied for fourth as a team with 139.250 points. No individuals earned automatic qualifications to the state meet.
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Junior Peyton Burns had the team’s best showing, placing seventh on the bars with a 9.025. She will have to wait to find out if the score is good enough for an at-large bid.
“The team did everything that was asked of them,” Pistorius said. “They’ve done a great job all year.”
Niles West
Senior Catherine Steegmueller was Niles West’s lone automatic qualifier for state after tying for fifth on the vault with a 9.400. She also was 11th on the beam (8.725), 15th on bars (8.575) and 16th on the floor (8.975). She finished 10th in the all-around with a 35.675
Evanston
Two seniors capped their careers at the sectional. Emily Varua was 34th on the beam (7.100) and Clara Gruger was 35th on the vault (8.050).
Twitter: @harnesspreps