Girls gymnastics spreads the enthusiasm all season long

The RB girl’s gymnastics team ended their season on a good note. The girls finished with personal best scores and a sense of camaraderie amongst their fellow teammates.

Though the season did not end in their favor, the girls enjoyed their time and were able to improve their skills. They had a team goal of 120 points of combined scores and they were able to attain that goal. The varsity team was made up of freshmen Jackie LaBelle, senior Kristen Santoro, junior Rachel Descola, and freshmen Reilly O’Donnell. One other spot was able to be alternating between the rest of the remaining teammates.

Freshmen Jackie LaBelle said, “The season went pretty well, the team didn’t do very well score wise, but we did improve a lot.”

Santoro said, “We were more enthusiastic this year and motivated to get better throughout the whole season. I also really enjoyed our bus rides to and from gymnastics meets. We had a lot of fun and many laughs.”

Instead of having a team Christmas Party, the team brought gifts for the Ronal McDonald house and war veterans.

The team was named one of the top three most improved gymnastics teams in the state of Illinois

Gymnastics finishes 4th at regionals, ending their season

The girls’ gymnastics season is over after a long winter of practices and meets.

The team was ranked 29^th for the most improved team in Illinois. The first score of their season is subtracted from their highest score, and RB’s total was a 5.10 improvement number.

On January 19^th, RB competed against Fenton on senior night. There were five seniors on the team, Kaitlynn Markowski, Emily Cain, Jackie LaManna, Ellie Hutcheson, and Chiara Ercoleri. Even though Fenton came out on top with a 130.00 over RB’s 112.85, the girls had a great senior night.

“This year has been so much fun. We all got really close as a team and I’ll miss everyone next year,” said Markowski.

The conference meet was the next week. The varsity team scored a 119.10, their highest team total this year. They placed fourth in conference, behind Oswego, Fenton, and Glenbard South. The JV team placed third in their conference, behind Oswego and Glenbard South. They also got their highest score of the season, with a 71.85.

The regional meet was supposed to be held on Wednesday, February 2^nd, but due to the snow, school was cancelled at many schools, including LTHS. The meet had to be rescheduled for February 4^th.

The girls’ scored a 117.675, earning them fourth place behind Downers Grove North, Naperville Central, and first place Lyons Township.

“This season was awesome. It was really fun to get to know everyone on the team a little better, and I hope next year will be the same,” said junior Kristen Santoro.

Gymnastics: new coach, new season, new team

Girls’ gymnastics has started again, with many new members and a new coach. Tom Sisulak is the new head coach for gymnastics, along with assistant coach Carrie Kozak.

“There’s a lot of new girls that have to start from scratch. It’s mostly just a learning experience,” said senior gymnast Kaitlynn Markowski.

“We’ve had a different coach each year. They all have their own techniques and ways of coaching,” said junior gymnast Kristen Santoro.

Sisulak starts off practice every day with a handshake to every girl on the team.

“He wants the team to be strong and bonded this year. He’s a very old school coach, and he likes to start with the basics,” said Markowski.

The varsity season looks promising this year, with their first meet coming up on November 29th.

“Everyone has improved a lot since last year. The team is looking good so far,” said junior gymnast Ariel Moon. “There is a lot of positive support and one-on-one work with the coaches,” she said.

“I’m looking forward to adding on and building off of last year. We always have a lot of fun,” said Santoro.

Girls gymnastics face new challenges

The girls’ gymnastics team is off to quite a different start this year. The team is facing some serious new changes. They have lost a lot of last years girls and they have a new coach, Jaclyn Messerges.

“The girls are fantastic and get along during practice,” says Messerges, the new coach “We have a small team since we lost a lot of girls but its still fun.”

Messerges herself has been a coach for 6 years and has been involved in gymnastics for 15 years. She participated in gymnastics all through college and at a division one school. This is her first year coaching here at RB though.

When asked if this years team had a chance of going to state Messerges said “I don’t know if we have a chance for state since we have such a small team.”

Although the team is small in size, their hopes of having both a successful and enjoyable year loom large.

“I’m looking forward to having a great season” says gymnast Kristen Santoro.