Niles West Invite provides springboard for closing run

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Lake Forest-01/07/12, Sat./Lake Forest High School Brittany Ebeling, of Niles North, on the beam dismount. | Joe Shuman~Sun-Times Media

Updated: February 20, 2012 8:47AM

The format of Saturday’s Viking Gymnastics Invite at Niles North was somewhat unusual, with just three gymnasts competing on each event and only one from each team allowed to compete all-around.

While this set-up may not have been ideal for many teams, it did suit the host Vikings, who finished fifth (93.025) and narrowly missed eclipsing third-place Evanston (93.30). Geneva won the meet.

The Vikings were shorthanded, so head coach Charlie Friedman appreciated the not having to pencil in the standard five gymnasts per event. Friedman said her gymnasts may actually perform better when they compete in fewer events.

“It was good because they were not doing all the events, so they got to be more focused on one specific event,” the coach said. “Some teams don’t do well like that and need to keep going (throughout the meet). My girls did really well, stepping up when they needed to.”

Senior Brittany Ebeling led the Vikings, finishing fifth in the all-around (33.025). The co-captain placed eighth on floor (8.625), ninth on vault (8.5), 12th on beam (7.95) and tied for 12th on bars (7.95).

Senior co-captain Kaitlin Karlin scored 8.0 on vault and 8.25 on floor; freshman Adriana Marijanovic earned 7.5 on floor; junior Lilly Wong graded 7.05 on vault; and sophomore Nicole Hawel scored 6.95 on vault.

Hawel, who battled a back injury early in the campaign, is coming on late in the season.

“(Hawel) is a three-sport athlete, doing volleyball, gymnastics and soccer. She is a really talented girl. But she doesn’t do gymnastics year-round. We’re seeing big gains from her now that she is in the gym every day,” Friedman said.

Another highlight was the performance of junior Chinonso Ukeje, who successfully competed a new bars skill she had added a day earlier.

On Jan. 12, Maine West defeated Niles North 124.5 to 120.7. Ukeje and Wong each finished with an 8.3 on beam. Two days prior, Glenbrook North overcame the Vikings 127.65 to 121.1, as Ebeling earned a 9.1 on floor.

The Vikings visit Highland Park at 5:30 p.m. today.

Niles West

The Wolves, who are battling injuries, finished sixth at the Viking Invite, scoring a 92.65.

Freshman Catherine Steegmueller came in ninth on bars (9.2), senior Kelly Sanks was 10th on bars (8.0) and 12th on vault, sophomore Valerie Fung took 12th on beam (7.85) and tied for 15th on floor (8.1) and senior Jenny Marin was 16th on bars (7.8).

Maine East

The Blue Demons scored 72.75 and finished at the bottom of the 12-team Viking Invite. The team is still competing without top gymnast Kathy Kolodziejski, who is out with a back injury.

Junior Anne Kaczkowski competed all-around for the Demons. Her scores included 7.9 on floor, 7.9 on vault and 6.75 on beam.

Blue Demons head coach Amanda Harrison said earlier this week she hopes to get Kolodziejski back this week. Plus, she expects senior Tori Walley, who has seen limited competition because of injuries, to increase her workload.

“Kathy has a back injury and it’s just kind of day-to-day,” Harrison said. “All I can hope is she’s back on an event or two by Glenbrook North (5:30 p.m. today). We also hope to have Tori back to at least 85-percent capacity by (today). That’s her goal. I want her to have a full floor routine and possibly see her competing on vault.”

Niles West, Niles North and Maine East will participate in the Niles West Invite at 1 p.m. Saturday.