Lyons girls gymnastics coach Kari Karubas has one of her youngest teams in recent years.
While it’s been two years since the Lions won back-to-back state championships, Karubas is careful about placing high expectations on her squad. But with a solid nucleus of two sophomores and a freshman competing all-around, the coach is looking forward to seeing their progress in the postseason.
“They have a lot of potential,” Karubas said. “We are working on day-to-day things.”
One of the sophomores, Julia Cozzi of Western Springs, is slowly emerging as a dependable scorer for Lyons, which placed second (134.975) Feb. 4 at the Hinsdale Central Regional.
Cozzi (33.025) took ninth on all-around to earn an at-large berth for the Hinsdale Central Sectional Wednesday on Feb. 10.
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In the second half of the season, Cozzi has become the regular No. 3 all-arounder for Lyons. Freshman teammate Olivia Kalata (34.95) placed second on all-around at the regional and sophomore Sarah Halm (34.275) took fourth.
Cozzi placed fourth on balance beam (8.55) to earn an automatic sectional berth, while also drawing an at-large bid on uneven bars (8.10).
“We are all still freshmen and sophomores,” Cozzi said. “I hope next year when we come back, we’ll be even stronger.”
She believes she can improve her score by learning to control her emotions. After Cozzi fell while landing both her vault attempts and finished 12th (8.3), she became emotional afterward. Teammates tried to cheer her up, but she seemed to carry over the disappointment while placing 15th (8.075) on her next rotation, floor exercise.
Cozzi’s stumbles on vault and floor cost her berths for the sectional, but recovered to advance on beam despite counting a fall on her dismount.
“Still two years after (starting high school gymnastics), I have to learn about my nerves,” Cozzi said. “I knew I was really nervous (about the regional). I have to learn about separating events. I really want to put it all together.”
The trio of Kalata, Halm and Cozzi gives Lyons loads of promise for the next two years. Those all-arounders have been making an impact ever since the first meet of the season when Lyons placed second at Hinsdale South.
Lyons’ only senior is specialist Michelle Flaws, who qualified for sectional on balance beam. The team’s two juniors, Brinn McDowell and Cara Rasmussen, also are specialists.
“Julia is a really good competitor,” Karubas said. “I think things are happening like I knew they could for her.”
Karubas said she doesn’t mind if her gymnasts shed a few tears between events.
“Being emotional is a good thing,” Karubas said.
Twitter @geomwilcox