High school girls gymnastics: Previewing the teams around the Suburban Life coverage area

The high school gymnastics season starts this week. Here are previews of teams from around the Suburban Life coverage area

Downers Grove co-op

Coach: Kristyn Campos

Last year’s results: Seventh at state meet (142.775), won Hinsdale Central Sectional (season-high 144.075), won Lyons Township Regional (141.95), won WSC Gold Conference (141.50)

Returning state qualifiers/competitors: Mia Bowers, sr.;, Melina Piplas, sr.; Gabby Stellato, sr.; Kathryn Snouffer, so.; Emily Smetana, sr.

Other varsity returners: Gretchen Lucina, jr.; Natalie Simpson, so.

Worth noting: The first combined season of Downers Grove South and North climaxed at state after a season-high score won sectionals.

“Last season’s success is really a product of the girls working hard to come together as a team and push each other,” Campos said.

At state, Snouffer tied for 11th on floor (9.35), just .025 from finals, Bowers was 17th on floor (9.275), 21st in all-around (36.175), tied for 21st on vault (9.4) and tied for 22nd on uneven bars (8.95) and Piplas was 29th on beam (8.3), 33rd in all-around (34.125) and 38th on floor (8.125). At sectionals, Smetana missed qualifying for state on floor (9.075) by .075, Snouffer’s 35.775 all-around missed by .175, and Snouffer and Stellato on beam (8.9s) were .15 shy. Stellato was a 2019 state beam qualifier. Gretchen Lucina and Simpson were state alternates. Juniors Katrina Carlson and Cherylin Parilli did not return from the state lineup.

Glenbard East

Coach: Jessica Bugajsky

Last year’s results: Fourth at state meet (school-record 146.25), won Glenbard South Sectional (145.075), won Glenbard East Regional (145.175), won Upstate Eight Conference (142.45).

Returning state qualifiers/competitors: Kali Kartheiser, sr.; Becca Honig, sr. and Eliza Pugacewicz, sr.; Riley Olson, jr. and Ella Kud, so.

Key newcomers: Danielle Johnson, sr. and Olivia Broyles, fr.; Emma Iwaniszyn, fr.; Abigail Johnson, fr.

Worth noting: The Rams are coming off their greatest season ever – fourth in state with a season-school score after their first sectional, third straight regional and second straight conference titles – their only ones ever. The only all-stater in Glenbard East history, Kartheiser tied for fourth at state on uneven bars (9.425) after sharing fifth in 2019. Honig was 10th in the floor finals (8.8), 12th in all-around (36.85) and tied for 21st on vault (9.4). Kartheiser and Kud each competed three events at state and Pugacewicz (floor) and Olson (vault) one each. At sectionals, Honig’s 9.075 on uneven bars missed state by .025 and Kartheiser’s 8.925 on beam missed by .125. Johnson is a move-in last year from Alabama who competed club as a junior. The Rams graduated state floor finalist Kelsey Donovan and junior three-event state qualifier Erin Donovan did not return.

Glenbard South

Coach: Lee Wood

Last year’s results: Fourth at Glenbard East Regional (99.475), seventh in Upstate Eight Conference (86.75); season-high 101.85.

Key returners: Amber Hood, sr. Jensen Moloney, sr.; Kayla Caday, sr. and Brooke Poltrock, so. Adrina Sparesus, so.

Worth noting: Fourth-year team members Hood and Moloney and Poltrock were three of the Raiders’ four all-arounders in last year’s regional. Poltrock’s 30.80 all-around total was .20 from reaching sectionals. At the UEC Meet, Sparesus was promoted to compete varsity all-around and Caday worked three events for the junior varsity. Six of the Raiders’ other seven gymnasts are sophomores or freshmen.

Glenbard West

Coach: Carlos Fuentes

Last year’s results: Second at Glenbard South Sectional (143.225), won Glenbard West Regional (143.40), won WSC Silver Conference (142.10); season-high 145.45

Returning state qualifier: Anna Diab, sr.

Other varsity returners: Haley Trippel, sr.; Regan Melinder, sr.; Alina Bhagwakar, jr.; Meagan McNamara, jr.; Brooklyn Ford, so., Skylar Oh, so. Breana Gama, so.

Varsity newcomers: Sammy Hopper, so. Autumn White, so.; Janelle Gama, fr.

Outlook: By just .175, the Hilltoppers’ sectional effort without any seniors missed another trip to the state meet after back-to-back state championships. That powerful lineup remains practically intact with five-time all-stater Diab among the state’s top all-arounders and several others contributing multiple key scores. At her third state meet last year, Diab was second in all-around (37.85) and floor (9.7), just .10 and .025 from first place, respectively, tied for fourth on uneven bars (9.425), reached the beam finals (eighth, 8.825) and tied for 14th on vault (9.45), .125 from finals. Sectional qualifiers were Bhagwakar (vault, uneven bars, beam), who previously contributed a counting vault score at the 2019 state meet, Trippel (uneven bars, beam), Ford (uneven bars, beam, floor) and McNamara and Oh both on vault and floor. Breana Gama also competed on beam. Ford is sidelined this season with a torn ACL.

“This is a very well-rounded team that has strong leadership with our three seniors,” Fuentes said. “Our juniors have made significant improvement. I believe this will be a breakout year for this group of super sophomores.”

Hinsdale Central

Coach: Kim Estoque

Last year’s results: Season-high 136.325; Fifth at Hinsdale Central Sectional (135.825), second at Hinsdale South Regional (season-high 136.255), second in WSC Silver Conference (136.10)

Key returnees: Olivia Widtfeldt, sr.; Annette Sommers, jr.; Athena Koulouris, jr.; Audrey Austin, so.; Charlotte French so.; Nina Marino so.; Amanda McLaughlin so.; CC Huber so..

Varsity newcomers: Megan McDonnell, sr.; Kelly Klobach jr.; Hazel Hamelka fr.; Elena Koulouris fr.; Daria Kuznetsova fr.; Evissa Ptak sr.

Outlook: The Red Devils return seven from their sectional lineup, including individual qualifiers in third-year varsity all-arounder Sommers (all-around, uneven bars, beam, floor) and program newcomers French (uneven bars, floor), Austin (floor), Widtfeldt (beam) and Marino (uneven bars). They graduated state uneven bars finalist Caroline Klobach, but they’ve gained upperclassmen Kelly Klobach, Caroline’s sister and a 2020 Level 10 club state qualifier, and Megan McDonnell, a manager last season after being injured.

Hinsdale South

Coach: Jarrod Amolsch

Last year’s results: Fourth at Hinsdale South Regional (116.80), fifth in WSC Gold Conference (113.15), season-high 119.95

Varsity returner: Sarah Frankel, sr.

Other returner: MacKenzie Waite, so.

Newcomers: Amber Rosegay sr.; Megan Mikita so.; Lilly Funk so.; Zoe Funk so.; Lizzie Tabachinkov so.; Annabelle Tedder so.; Noelle Arflack so.; and Julia Andrzejcak so.; Morgan Lilja fr.; Brianna Cassano fr.; Cailyn Cockrell fr.

Outlook: The Hornets have many new faces after losing their entire varsity conference lineup and eight regional competitors, which included six seniors. Frankel was primarily on Junior Varsity I. Amolsch said Lilja, Cassano and Mikita are among the most experienced newcomers.

Lyons Township

Coach: Darragh McDermott

Last year’s results: Third at Lyons Township Regional (127.925), fifth in WSC Silver Conference (127.225); season-high 130.10

Varsity returners: Nicole Brom sr.; Emily Burcal sr.; Madeline Gruca sr.; Joelle Mologousis sr.; Aniko Kittridge jr.; Maggie Adler so.; Natalie Aubert so.; Anna Cassioppi so.; Annmarie Holmes so.; Lexie Kulhanek so.; Calleigh McPartlin so.

Varsity newcomers: Ellie Dillon jr.; and Gabi Sanchez fr.; Emily Tucker fr.

Outlook: The Lions return 11 of 12 regional competitors from last season and all five sectional qualifiers – Holmes as their lone all-arounder, Gruca and Holmes on floor and Adler and Cassioppi and Kittridge on vault. Gruca’s 7.975 on beam missed advancing by .025. Brom was a 2018 sectional qualifier on beam.

“Our goals, even through the pause, were to have healthy, safe, strong, and happy people,” McDermott said.

Morton

Coach: Angela Tomkins

Last year’s results: Fourth at Lincoln-Way East Regional (season-high 112.575), sixth in WSC Gold Conference (95.35).

Varsity returners: Haley Jacinto sr.; and Aimee Abundes Mendez jr.; Karina Jara jr.; Katie Jara jr.

Newcomer: Jadelynn Lopez fr.

Outlook: Jacinto and the Jara twins were among the Mustangs’ five all-arounders who competed at the Gold Meet and regionals, where they achieved a season high by nearly four points. Karina Jara had Morton’s highest regional scores on three events.

Riverside-Brookfield

Coach: Karyn Domzalski

Last year’s results: Third at Oswego Regional (125.05), fourth in Upstate Eight Conference (season-high 128.40)

Varsity returners: Mia Giurini sr.; Nina Tomas sr.; Zoe Mazurkiewicz sr.; Nora Ford jr.; Leah Kolwalski jr.; Sarah Lindenberg so.; Claudia Grusecki so.

Newcomer: Annabel Krueger, fr.

Outlook: The Bulldogs’ seven returnees include their past two Athletes of the Year – Giurini from last season and Tomas. Injured as a sophomore, Giurini qualified for sectionals in all-around, uneven bars and floor, where her 9.05 missed qualifying for state by .10. Ford was an all-around sectional qualifier and she and Lindenberg were only .125 shy on floor and vault, respectively. Krueger should help on beam.

“Our team conditioned regularly through Zoom. We’re looking forward to how that translates into getting back into the gym,” Domzalski said.

Wheaton co-op

Coach: Maureen Kermend

Last year’s results: Third at Glenbard South Sectional (141.525), won Wheaton Warrenville South Regional (141.975), second in DuKane Conference (141.60); season-high 143.50

Returners: Annie McBride sr.; Julia Ripp sr.; Kate Weber sr.; Sophia Moody sr.; Sam Nepras jr.; Ashley Huang so.; Ella Schechter so.

Newcomers: Delaney Brown fr.; Bridget Craig fr.

Outlook: The Fligers lost depth from graduations but still have a strong senior corps. Ripp was a sectional vault qualifier last year and also competed at regionals on floor, and McBride and Weber competed on uneven bars and floor, respectively. Nepras also advanced to sectionals on uneven bars and Huang advanced on beam. Moody and Schechter were JV competitors. Senior and returning state qualifier Emily Burnham did not return.

“I had four senior varsity members that stayed focused and team oriented during the two-month pause. Otherwise, our group is young but still developing,” Kermend said.

Willowbrook

Coach: Deanna Zuchowski

Last year’s results: Third at Lake Park Regional (128.00), second in WSC Gold Conference (130.925); season-high 133.30

Returning state qualifier: Bella Naumovsky jr.

Other varsity returners: Maeve Costello sr.; Tess Placek jr.; Sarah Ball so.

Other returners: Hanna Mitrick so.; Molly Morris so.

Outlook: Last season, the Warriors enjoyed their highest scores in more than a decade and Naumovsky became their first state qualifier since 2009. Naumovsky finished 12th on uneven bars (9.3), just .025 from state finals, and also qualified for sectionals on beam and floor. Placek earned her second trip to sectionals and her 9.2 vault missed state by .075. Also back from regionals are Costello (vault), Ball (vault, uneven bars, floor) and Mitrick (beam), a junior varsity I standout with Morris. The sophomores hope to help overcome two key graduations.

“The team mentality will be very important. The girls have been goal writing via Zoom calls and ultimately want to push each other,” Zuchowski said.

York

Coach: Nick Criel

Last year’s results: Second at Glenbard East Regional (131.55), fourth in WSC Silver Conference (131.525); season-high 138.00

Varsity returners: Martha Miklyukh jr.; Maryalice Shockey jr.; Angelina DeBlasio jr.; Hannah Aubry jr.; Lily Cmiel jr. Olivia Hyso jr.; Allie Blessing, sr.

Newcomers: Danielle Chavez, fr.

Outlook: The Dukes will rely mostly on strong and experienced juniors. Miklyukh was among four sectional competitors last year as an all-around qualifier and also reached sectionals as a freshman on uneven bars. Aubry (vault, beam), Cmiel (beam, floor) and Hyso (uneven bars) also were in last year’s regional lineup. Shockey (ankle) and DeBlasio (knee) return from season-ending injuries as sophomores. A 2019 sectional qualifier in all-around and uneven bars, Shockey was sidelined in December and DeBlasio, a 2019 regional beam entry, in early January.