Girls Gymnastics: North’s Michaela Robert finishes 29th in all-around
BY CHRIS WALKER For Sun-Times Media February 16, 2013 12:32AM
Naperville North had two gymnasts qualify in the all-around for Friday’s IHSA state girls gymnastics finals at Palatine.
Senior Kaitlyn Daly chose a missions trip to Haiti over competing in the state finals so sophomore Michaela Robert was on her own.
Robert, who advanced as an all-arounder last season, finished in 29th place with a 35.675.
“I was definitely more comfortable this year then last year because I didn’t know what to expect last year,” Robert said. “Performance-wise it didn’t end up like I was hoping, which is disappointing to me, but I was happy to be here.”
Robert left the meet impressed. She competed shortly after Carmel’s Lauren Feely registered a 9.9 on vault, making her 9.325 seem like not much of an accomplishment.
“That really motivated me because, ‘Oh my gosh,’ she was unbelievable,” Robert said. “She’s just a great vaulter and like an idol to me.”
Robert had to count a fall on floor, something that has rarely happened this season.
“That was tough, especially because I thought the routine went really well except for that,” she said. “You just have to finish it all the way through cleanly and I wasn’t able to do that.”
It’s been a battle the past couple years for Neuqua Valley senior Sara Cushing just to stay healthy.
Cushing avoided injuries to advance to state on the balance beam, but she fell off the apparatus, scoring an 8.775.
“It’s disappointing that I fell,” she said. “But I’m happy that after all the injuries I was able to get to state.”
Unfortunately a mix of injuries over the years kept Cushing from showing off her true talents, but still she was happy to ultimately finish up in the state finals.
“Yeah, I kind of wonder what could of happened, but you can’t control injuries,” she said. “At least I was able to get here today.”
