April 25, 2024
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Gymnastics: Oswego co-op’s Kelsie Freundt, Sam Phillip qualify for state

Downers Grove co-op wins team title

By Chris Walker - Daily Herald Media Group
Oswego's Kelsie Freundt dismounts off of the balance beam during Oswego Gymnastics Regional. Feb 7, 2022.

Oswego's Kelsie Freundt dismounts off of the balance beam during Oswego Gymnastics Regional. Feb 7, 2022. (Gary E Duncan Sr. for Shaw Local)

OSWEGO – 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.”

Downers Grove South's Emily Smetana performs on the balance beam during Oswego Gymnastics Regional. Feb 7, 2022.

Oswego Gymnastics Regional Downers Grove South's Emily Smetana performs on the balance beam during Oswego Gymnastics Regional. Feb 7, 2022. (Gary E Duncan Sr. for Shaw Local)

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.”

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's Sam Phillip performs on the balance beam during Oswego Gymnastics Regional. Feb 7, 2022.

Oswego Gymnastics Regional Oswego's Sam Phillip performs on the balance beam during Oswego Gymnastics Regional. Feb 7, 2022. (Gary E Duncan Sr. for Shaw Local)

Oswego co-op senior Kelsie 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,” Freundt 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.”

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