Prep stars shine, but Level 6 girls steal the show
News-Sun staff report November 26, 2012 4:44PM
Among the high school girls who competed recently for Ultimate Gym of Gurnee at the Illinois Judges Cup meet were (from left): Krystal Kofoed (Warren), Kyra McCue (Warren), Lauren Feely (Carmel) and Carli Betman (Glenbrook North). | SPECIAL TO THE NEWS-SUN
Updated: January 26, 2013 2:07AM
The annual Illinois Judges Cup meet comes early in the season but it offers some distinct advantages.
For those gymnasts about to embark on the high school season, it’s an early opportunity to qualify for next spring’s youth state meet. For those trying out new routines or skills, the judges’ feedback that all competitors receive proves invaluable.
Members of the girls team from Ultimate Gymnastics of Gurnee experienced both benefits at this year’s meet held recently in Bourbonnais.
Top of the list of achievements was a first-place finish for the Level 6 team, a notable result considering the majority of the girls were competing at this level for the first time.
Ultimate’s Sabrina Panlaqui of Round Lake had an outstanding meet in the age 11 division, finishing first on bars, floor and in the all-around and second on balance beam.
Her Level 6 teammate, Riley Finnegan of Lindenhurst, claimed gold on beam and silver on bars and was third in the all-around.
The team’s other gold medal came in the 7-10 age group when Emily Isabelli of Lake Villa won vault, scoring 9.15. She added second place finishes on both beam and floor.
In the same age group Lyndsey Basara of Gurnee was consistent across all events, claiming silver medals on bars and in the all-around and bronze on vault and floor exercise.
In the 12-over age group, Delaney Jones of Gurnee placed second on vault and third in the all-around while Nora Steinlein of Gurnee took silver on uneven bars.
In all, 10 of the Level 6 girls in action at the meet achieved their state qualifying score of 33.00.
Also competing were those members of the Level 8, 9 and 10 teams about the start training with their respective high schools.
At Level 10, Carmel senior Lauren Feely of Gurnee posted big scores on vault (9.475) and floor (9.20) to take the top spot on these events.
At Level 9, Lake Forest Junior Brittany Moccia nailed her bar dismount to take first on this event. She also placed third on floor exercise.
Competing in her first Level 9 meet was Warren’s Krystal Kofoed, who scored an 8.65 on floor
At Level 8, Glenbrook North’s Carli Betman took gold on vault and floor exercise.
Warren’s Kyra McCue qualified for State on vault and floor..
