Grier: lone Wolf off sectional gym squad

Staff Writer

Prairie Ridge is down to its lone wolf.

Mary Grier represents the last remaining member of District 155 co-op's regional championship gymnastics team from a year ago. In many ways, the Prairie Ridge junior is coping with being a newcomer all over again.

Her coach, long-time D155 veteran Mary Ann Vogt, stepped down before the start of the season. Grier also saw all her teammates either graduate or decide not to compete this year.

Before the season began, Grier learned the Wolves would not have enough gymnasts to field a team for the 2007-08 campaign. She and Prairie Ridge freshman Jenny Covers are the only two District 155 gymnasts this season.

"It makes the experience a little less," she confessed. "You don't have all the girls cheering for you when you're competing. It's definitely harder without a team and it's sad that so many girls chose not to come out."

The lonely Wolves, now coached by Ray Gradecki, competed for individual scores at the Oswego Invite Dec. 28 and the Lake Forest Invite Saturday. They still will have the opportunity to advance as individuals through the state series next month.

But a year after capturing the New Trier Regional crown with 142.025 points behind standouts Jordan Natoli (Prairie Ridge) and Kayleigh Kremer (Crystal Lake South), D155 won't worry about team scores this year.

Grier enters this season with something to prove after coming up just shy of advancing out of the Stevenson Sectional. She finished fifth on floor (8.95) and fifth in the all-around (34) to help the team win regionals.

Covers, an experienced gymnast at the club level, has already made a huge splash in her debut with victories on vault at both Oswego (9.45) and Lake Forest (9.85).

"She helps make up for (not having a team)," Grier added. "She's so determined and brings so much energy. It's made Jenny and me a lot closer. We're like sisters.

"But there are times when she can't make practice and it's just me by myself. That's when it's hard, but really I'm just happy to be out there competing."

Grier and Covers aren't scheduled to compete again until regionals the week of Jan. 28.

SWIMMING: Ryan Kearney (50, 100 free) and Ryan Wise (200 IM, 100 back) each won two individual events in the top division to lead Cary-Grove to the Elk Grove Invitational title (260 points) Saturday.

It was the Trojans' third first-place finish in as many invites this season.

District 300 co-op (2-0) geared up for its big showdown with District 155 earlier in the week by finishing fifth (76) at the Maine South Relays Saturday.

D300 took second in the 200 medley relay (1:50.16), 400 IM relay (4:09.35) and 400 medley relay (4:00.9). Sandburg won the meet with 202 points.

BOWLING: Amanda Burau finished eighth with 549 pins to pace Jacobs in its seventh-place showing at the Grant Invitational at Lakes Bowl in Round Lake Saturday.