Last Wednesday, the Palatine girls’ gymnastics team delivered a program sweep over the Fremd Vikings, showcasing a strong performance that highlighted their talent, dedication and preparation. From start to finish, the team showed consistency and confidence across each event, setting the tone for an impressive performance.
The Pirates emerged victorious with an overall score of 138.05 over crosstown rival Fremd’s score of 132.05. Despite the win, the meet was closely contested, with both teams trading strong performances throughout.
Varsity athlete Jolee Waddington emerged as a top performer hitting a season record of 9.6 on the uneven bars, a score that played a crucial role in Palatine’s overall success.
“A specific moment I was most proud of was watching my teammates,” Waddington said. “I’m proud of how each and every one of them have grown as individuals throughout the season, and I can’t wait to see where we can go as a team.”
The girls of Palatine gymnastics aren’t only strong on the mat; they’re inseparable off it as well. During the meet against Fremd, teammates cheered on one another through every routine, celebrated personal success, and supported each other after mistakes. Their strong sense of teamwork helped the Pirates perform at their best and secure the victory.
“A lot of gymnastics teams don’t really worry about other gymnasts as they’re competing,” Assistant Coach Scott Hagel said. “We’ve taught our girls that supporting each other is just as important as their individual performances are.”
As the season moves forward, the team’s emphasis on unity has gone hand in hand with a shift in training priorities. Rather than chasing difficulty, the coaching staff is now prioritizing consistency and execution to prepare for important meets such regionals, sectionals, and finally state.
“We are getting to the point of the season where we’re training more for good form and consistent performance,” Hagel said. “We are trying less new skills and trying to focus more on cleaning up the skills that we’ve been doing.”
This approach has helped athletes feel more prepared and confident as the pressures of postseason competition increases. With routines becoming more polished, gymnasts are learning how consistency and mindset can play a large role in their success.
“One thing I learned from this meet is that the more positive and confident I am, the easier the meet will be,” junior gymnast Sophia Vrbancic said. “Something I want to improve on is being able to control my nerves when they get too high.”
On Tuesday evening the Pirates will host senior night, competing against the Rolling Meadows Mustangs.
