Wolves' Covers completes big weekend

Updated: March 23, 2011 1:22PM

Prairie Ridge's Jenny Covers was soaring Saturday at the girls' state individual gymnastics finals at Palatine. After winning the state all-around title on Friday, Covers flew past the competition Saturday, winning two more events. She also threw a double-layout on the floor, the first time that trick had attempted at the state finals.

"It was great," said Covers. "I am tired and could use a nap. But I am very happy with how I performed."

Covers hit her Yurchenko-layout on the vault to score a 9.85. She then connected with her Geinger on the bars to win again with a 9.85. A fall on the beam gave her a 9.00 on the beam. She barely missed her double-layout on the floor and scored a 9.675 to finish fourth.

"I am glad I threw it," Covers said. "It is better than a first-place finish because no one has ever tried it before. I just was a little short on it."

"She did a great job," Prairie Ridge coach Lee Battaglia said. "She is a bit tired but she wanted to throw the double layout. After winning those earlier events, I wasn't going to hold her back."

Carmel's Lauren Feely broke through on the beam while teammate Kristin Mirski won the floor. Feely's final connection of a flip-flop-layout-stepout-tuck-full that helped earn her a state title with a 9.70. Mirski was strong and clean on her floor routine which earned a 9.775.

"I wanted to make sure I hit every step," Feely said. "And I did. It was my beat beam routine ever."

"This is amazing," Mirski said. "It was my best floor routine ever. And to do it at the state finals is even better."

Feely and Mirski, along with Jen Zeller, Lauren Bowles, Anna Brandmeier, Sarah Cohen-Smith and Daniella Clement were the reason that Carmel was able to capture the state title for the second consecutive year. The Corsairs finished with a 149.45.

"There was a lot of pressure on us to repeat," Carmel coach Sarah Doyle said. "But these girls work real hard. They come to practice and to their meets with quiet confidence."

Lake Forest was second with a 148.45. It was the Scouts' first state trophy since 1985, when they finished third.

"We are thrilled," Lake Forest coach Robin Straus said. "It was fun. Our girls came in here so relaxed and that was a big difference for us."

Schaumburg also claimed its first trophy in its first state appearance. The Saxons' finished with a 147.80. Stevenson was fourth with a 146.95 and Hinsdale Central was fifth with a 146.675.

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