Prairie Ridge's Covers coms back strong

Updated: March 23, 2011 9:50AM

Jenny Covers and Prairie Ridge have been laying low so far this gymnastics season. But Saturday at the Lake Forest Invitational, Covers let loose.

Covers, who was competing in the all-around for the first time this season, exploded back onto the scene with a 38.25 to win the event.

"I wasn't ready before this meet," Covers said. "I was not ready physically or mentally. Now I am. More reps and confidence has changed it.

Everything was good, except for a little mistake on beam."

Covers was nearly spectacular in every event. The senior, who has committed to Minnesota, hit her Yurchenko layout-full on her vault to score a 9.90 and win the event.

"It was the first time I did this in a meet. It felt real good today," Covert said.

She also had a 9.70 on both the floor and the bars, winning both as well. She had a fall on the beam and scored a 8.95.

"Jenny had a great meet," Prairie Ridge coach Lee Bataglia said. "She had just one fall on an airiel that she really doesn't need. We will probably take that out."

Covers helped her team finish fourth with a 139.625.

Carmel won the meet, which featured four possible state finals teams. The Corsairs scored a school-record 150.225 to finish ahead of Lyons' 144.775 and Lake Forest's 143.90.

"I am excited for the girls," Carmel coach Sarah Doyle said. "They are working so hard. They are taking what they do in practice and doing it in the meet."

Carmel's Lauren Feely was second in the all-around with a 37.70. Teammates Kristin Mirski (37.65) and Jen Zeller (37.575) were third and fourth. Lyons' Taylor Southworth was fifth with a 37.175.

Lake Forest's Katie Meier won the beam with a 9.55.

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