Metering is ON

Girls gymnastics: Lincoln-Way co-op takes sixth at home invitational

Story Image Jamie Valla, of Andrew, competes on the Vault at Lincoln-Way East, Saturday, January 7th, 2012 in Frankfort, IL. l Gary Middendorf~For Sun-Times Media
Story Image

Updated: January 7, 2012 11:26PM



The competition was stiff at the 21st Annual Lincoln-Way Gymnastics Invitational on Saturday. Glenbard North ended the 11-year reign of Fremd, placing first with a 145.275 to find their way to the 12-team podium peak.

The Lincoln-Way co-op finished in sixth place with a 133.550. Kaitlyn Neiheisel was the area’s top performer, finishing third in the all-around with a 36.400. Neiheisel’s best event was the balance beam where she tied for first with a 9.350.

“This is always a good barometer for the kids when they have this kind of competition,” Lincoln-Way coach Skip Adamson said. “The kids think, ‘Oh my god, I thought I was the big fish in the small pond.’ But the pond is a little bigger than they thought.”

Sandburg/Stagg co-op was seated in third after two events, but the Eagles struggled to close out the meet. They finished seventh with a 132.425. Freshman Anna Grilich came in ninth in the all-around with a 34.675.

“I was really happy with the way things were going after two events,” Sandburg coach Mike White said. “But the bars and beam did not go as well as they should have, which cost us quite a bit. We need to put four events together.”

Homewood-Flossmoor finished 11th, but registered its highest team score of the year with a 125.550. Ciara Adkins led H-F with a seventh place finish in the all-around (34.850).

“I think this competition really helps us,” Adkins said. “We had our best team score of the year, even though we didn’t place as high as we wanted. It’s nice to know we’re setting our own boundaries instead of just looking at the other teams.”

Andrew’s Jamie Valla finished 11th in the all-around (34.350) in her first full meet since being sideline with thumb surgery. Andrew finished in the 12th place with a 125.200.

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