Girls Gymnastics: Carmel the team to beat — again

Updated: February 17, 2012 11:25PM

The only thing standing between Carmel and a third consecutive IHSA girls gymnastics state title is itself.

The Corsairs open the state finals Friday as favorites. They’ve gotten there behind an incomparable trio of all-arounders.

Kristen Mirski, Lauren Feely and Jen Zeller finished with three of the top five all-around scores during sectionals, and Mirski’s 38.45 was tops. If the three hit this weekend, there’s little doubt Carmel will hoist another championship trophy.

‘‘These girls are so fixated on doing the best they possibly can,’’ Corsairs coach Sarah Doyle said. ‘‘They compete against their best possible performance, rather than what the other teams are doing, and they’re perfectionists who are always focusing on what they could’ve done better.’’

Carmel is the only school to reach 150 points this
season, and the Corsairs have surpassed that level five consecutive times. Their season high was a 153.725, and they posted a 153.225 in regionals and a 151.75 at the Niles North Sectional.

Stevenson, Prairie Ridge Co-op, Fremd, Glenbard North, Lake Forest, New Trier and Lyons make up the rest of the field.

The ending to a brilliant high school career has come for Stevenson senior Ali Castriano. She made a splash when she took eighth place in the all-around and helped the Patriots win a state title as a freshman. Castriano and Mirski are the only two gymnasts to qualify for the all-around in each of the last four years.

‘‘You don’t realize how quickly it’s going, and now the final week is here,’’ Castriano said. ‘‘You never get tired of it, though. I’m as
excited now as I was as a freshman.’’

Castriano’s best finish came in 2010, when she placed fourth with a 37.65. She slipped to 11th last season, falling on beam and
totaling a 37.025.

She tied for the third-highest sectional score with a 38.15. Only Mirski and DeKalb/Sycamore Co-op’s Alyssa Lopez (38.375) scored higher, but 10 gymnasts had at least a 37.45 in sectionals.

‘‘You can’t predict where you’re going to finish,’’ ­Castriano said. ‘‘I haven’t had many dramatic changes over the years, but I’ve gained a lot of confidence and I’m more focused. I’m looking to go out and hit all four routines the best I can.’’

Other notable gymnasts to watch for in the all-around include Glenbard North
senior Amanda Quinn, Lyons freshman Kelsy Kurfirst and Prairie Ridge Co-op freshman Rachael Underwood.

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