Girls Gymnastics: Glenbrook North continues to push through injuries

Updated: January 10, 2012 7:12PM

Injuries have been a factor for the Glenbrook North girls gymnastics team this season.

On more than one occasion, Spartan gymnasts have been asked to step in at the last minute to replace their injured teammates.

At last month’s Spartan Invite, GBN’s Katie Burnside and Hanna Figge had to return home prior to the meet to get their leotards and fill in for a teammate injured in warmups.

A similar act of heroism was on display after a last-minute injury at Saturday’s Brinkworth/Munch Invitational in Evanston. This time it was Burnside who strained her quad during the warmup and had to pull out of the meet.

Glenbrook North coach Julie Holmbeck was prepared to take zeros in multiple events. Then, Val Bobart came to the rescue, agreeing to work all-around for the first time this season.

Bad knees from running cross country had prevented Bobart from competing on floor this winter. But despite not having a choreographed routine, the junior scored a respectable 6.3 in that event.

“Bobart came forward and saved the day,” Holmbeck said. “She hasn’t even tumbled with us at all this season. When we work floor (in practice) I send her to bars. It was pretty amazing.”

Bobart selflessness helped the severely shorthanded Spartans score a 124.675 and finish third at the invite, which was won by Glenbrook South (131.800).

In addition to Burnside, Glenbrook North competed without sophomores Jane Nellis and Grad, both gone with season-ending injuries.

Spartan freshmen Carli Betman and Tatum Zaransky each had fine afternoons. Betman finished third in the all-around (33.975), including a first on vault (9.3) and fourth on beam (season’s-best 8.75).

Zaransky, who had battled injuries earlier in the season, was eighth in the all-around (31.9) and on floor (8.45).

Spartans gymnasts showcased new skills and combinations that they added over the holiday break during practice.

“Carly and Tatum added some combinations on floor and beam and Tatum, Val and (junior) Miriam (Mikhelson) have been trying their best to add difficulty to each event,” Holmbeck said. “It showed. Some of the scores went up. Some girls tried things but were not successful. But I call it a success to try it in an invite. It’s a bonus if you land it. But it’s important to have the confidence to not just do it in practice, but compete it.”

Scheduled to face Niles North earlier this week, the Spartans host Deerfield at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

The dual was projected to be one of the season’s most important meets for Glenbrook North, back when the Spartans expected to contend for a CSL North title.

However, Holmbeck believes the season-ending injuries to Nellis and Grad make it unlikely the Spartans will be able to catch the Warriors, who are scoring 135.

The showdown with Niles North likely decided second place in the conference standings.

“We will never be able to catch Deerfield. At the beginning of the season, we had hopes of a tighter race for the championship. But (because of the injuries) we’ll never be able to put on 10 points (to our score),” Holmbeck said. “But I’m still really pleased with the girls in the gym. They are working daily and competing well. They have done a super job. You can’t ask for more than that.”

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