Gymnastics: Maren Craig takes on leadership role for Lyons

Updated: November 18, 2011 7:16PM

In a season that featured two West Suburban Silver teams in the state meet, Lyons Township turned out to be the top conference team left behind.

Prairie Ridge was the eighth and final team to qualify for the state meet last season based on its score of 144.975 at sectionals. The Lions scored 144.775 to finish behind Hinsdale Central in the sectional, to finish just two-tenths of a point short of a state-bid.

With the loss of three top gymnasts — Carolyn Cozza, Taylor Southworth and Katie Oeltgen — due to graduation, LT is looking to bounce back with returnees Maren Craig, a junior, and Allison Stuck, a senior. Craig, a Western Spring resident, is the only sectional qualifier back. She was third in the all-around (35.30) at the regional, which was won by LT.

One other top returnee for the Lions is senior Kalen Iffert.

LT finished second in the conference after the dual meets. Conference champion Hinsdale Central finished fifth at the state meet and Glenbard West was seventh.

“It’s going to be our goal; going to state,” Craig said. “We know we can do it. We have done a lot of hard work since last year. This year we have a couple of freshmen that are good.”

Craig said one of the freshmen, Kelsy Kurfirst, is a Level 9 club-trained gymnast who worked out with LT over the summer.

“I’m looking forward (to the season),” Craig said. “We know who has done a lot of hard work in the offseason. I think we can make it (to state).”

The loss of Cozza could be hard to overcome. Craig will be counted on to pick up the load left by Cozza, who was the Lions’ top gymnast. Cozza tied for third at state in the vault and placed third on floor exercise.

Last year’s top three gymnasts in the conference will not return, which leaves the conference race up for grabs. Cozza graduated along with Glenbard West’s Becky Mladucky. Hinsdale Central’s Kristen Grilli, who finished ninth at the state meet in the balance beam, has been ruled out for her senior season due to a bulging disk in her back from club competition. Grilli is facing surgery later in the year.

The top returning gymnast in the conference could possibly become Hinsdale Central junior Erin Morgan, who was 13th at state in the floor exercise.

Craig could rise to the top among the conference’s best. She worked on uneven bars and floor during the offseason.

“I recently had an injury for a stress fracture in my back. It’s not an issue now. I’m not worried about it. I have been going to physical therapy,” Craig said.

Craig said she had a back injury last year.

LT was set to open the season at the Hinsdale South Invitational at 5 p.m. Nov. 23.

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