Spartan Gymnasts Settle for Fourth at Regional

The Niles North Regional was the Citlali Cuevas show.

The Vikings’ senior won the all-around and three events, finishing second on the uneven bars, and led the host school to win the team competition. Behind Cuevas, the Vikings scored a school-record 137.2 to get the first regional championship in Niles North history.

Meanwhile, Glenbrook North finished fourth out of four teams with a 122.225 and had to rely on at-large spots to qualify individuals into sectionals. Conant was second with a 130.8 and Elk Grove edged the Spartans with a 122.325.

GBN scored higher earlier in the year, making it a somewhat disappointing meet.

“Six falls on beam, that kind of killed us,” GBN coach Julie Holmbeck said. “We would have been 125 right there. It’s a sad way to end the season, but it’s a young team.”

Sophomore Miriam Mikhelson and freshman Sari Grad unofficially appear to have qualified for sectionals at vault. Both scored an 8.45. Mikhelson looks to be in with a 7.975 on the uneven bars. The official list of at-large qualifiers for sectionals should be posted on IHSA.org by Morning morning.

All year, Holmbeck knew it would be a rebuilding season and it showed. Big meets were a difficult challenge for the young team.

“They have a hard time in big meets like this,” Holmbeck said. “If you fall you gotta shake it off and get right back in the game. I’m hoping they can get it together for next year and the year after.”

The Spartans feature a few , which Holmbeck said puts them at a disadvantage against girls that are working on gymnastics year round.

“I’ve got multiple girls that play more than one sport,” the coach said. “I have girls that when they’re done with this they go away to camp all summer. They don’t work gymnastics. They basically work gymnastics a little bit in the preseason in the fall and then they come out for the team. So for that I think they did pretty good. They’re not gymnasts I’ve had in the past where 12 months they’re working gymnastics.”

Holmbeck added that she thinks the team is in line for a solid improvement next year.

Clearly though, Cuevas stole the show. Her 37.525 all around is among the states elite. She scored 9.65 on vault and had 9.5 on both beam and floor. She is also excited for her team.

“We scored 137 and we didn’t even have a full lineup,” Cuevas said. “I’m trying not to look too far ahead. Long-term goals I want to go to state. I want other girls to go to state. I think this is our year. We’ll be able to send some girls down there.”

The sectional meet is also at Niles North and will take place Thursday.