Covers makes history at state

Updated: March 23, 2011 9:22AM

Prairie Ridge's Jenny Covers cemented her place in state history Friday at the 35th annual girls' state gymnastics finals at Palatine. Covers became only the 7th gymnast in history to win her second all-around title with a 38.70.

But it was Covers' vault that brought the crowd to its feet. She stuck her Yurchenko-full with a 9.90.

"I am so happy," said Covers, who won the all-around title in 2009 and was third in the all-around last year.

"I was nervous this week. I was ready on Monday. I was happy with all my performances and looking forward to tomorrow night."

Covers, who is headed to the University of Minnesota next fall, also scored a 9.625 on the bars, a 9.375 on the beam and a 9.80 on the floor. All four scores qualified her for the individual finals which will be contested Saturday night at 5:45. Her vault, bars and floor scores were also the highest scores posted.

"To come in here and be as calm as she was is amazing," Prairie Ridge coach Lee Battaglia said. "She is confident and strong. She is healthy and at her peak right now."

DeKalb's Jessica Morealle was second in the all-around with a 38.275. Morealle, who is headed to the University of Iowa, tied Covers and Schaumburg's Ashley Miller on the bars with a 9.625.

"It was a great experience," Morreale said. "It was so much different than a club meet. I think it will really prepare me for college."

Miller was third in the all-around with a 37.75. Carmel's Lauren Feely, who tied Miller for the highest beam score with a 9.475, was fourth in the all-around with a 37.525. Niles North's Citali Cuevas was fifth with a 37.50 and Glenbard North's Amanda Quin was sixth with a 37.225.

Carmel and coach Sarah Doyle came away with twins. Carmel is at 148.875, which will easily win them their second consecutive state title after scores are completed Saturday evening.

"I am so proud of my team," said Doyle, who is expecting twin girls in April. "I wasn't our best performance. But we stuck together and came through."

Lake Forest is second with a 147.875, Schaumburg is third with a 147.35, Stevenson is fourth with a 146.70 and Hinsdale Central is fifth with a 146.675.

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