May 15, 2025
Sports

Hinsdale South's Nowak, Hinsdale Central's Cultra book state gymnastics berths

By BILL STONE

Hinsdale South's Maddie Nowak competes on uneven parallel bars Feb. 11 at the Hinsdale Central sectional meet. The junior qualified for the state meet in four events. (Bill Ackerman)

HINSDALE – After a one-year absence from high school gymnastics, Hinsdale South junior Maddie Nowak is returning to the state meet with a different outlook.

“I left state a little disappointed my freshman year and I don’t want to do the same thing this year,” Nowak said.

Nowak automatically qualified for state at Palatine High School in the same four events as 2013 with top-five finishes at the Hinsdale Central sectional Feb. 11. She was second on the uneven bars (9.5), tied for third on floor exercise (9.525), and was fourth on vault (9.5) and all-around (37.125).

“She had awesome floor, bars, vault – one of the best bars routines I’ve seen in a while, great floor. I’m proud of her,” first-year South coach Mia Tritch said.

Last year, Nowak focused on club gymnastics. In 2013, her highest state finish was a tie for 14th on vault (9.5). This time, Nowak hopes to be among Friday’s top-10 preliminary scores and reach Saturday’s event finals. Her sectional score on uneven bars ranks fifth.

“I feel like there’s no pressure, just go all out and hopefully there will be positive results,” Nowak said.

Hinsdale Central

Hinsdale Central’s Brigid Cultra came to high school gymnastics this season as a senior with the potential of reaching the state meet.

Then she aggravated a heel injury, was out for a week with mononucleosis and re-injured the heel just before the postseason.

Cultra persevered and reached state on the uneven bars (9.125) and floor (9.4) as an at-large individual qualifier at the Hinsdale Central sectional.

“I knew I could make it if I did the routines that I had,” Cultra said. “I tried to keep up with the routines I had before I got sick so I was able to make it.

“Bars is my favorite event so I’m really glad to compete that. To make it to state is really cool. It’s going to be my first state experience – and last.”

Both of Cultra’s scores were .025 above the at-large state cuts.

“I just want to have fun, make my routines, do the best I can,” Cultra said.

“I’m excited for her with everything happening, being sick and injured. It’s really nice to have something positive happen for her,” Hinsdale Central coach Kim Estoque said.

Hinsdale Central finished fourth (138.80) with a lineup of Cultra, four-year varsity senior Maddie Sesemann and four freshmen.