Schools
Castriano Leads Stevenson Gymnastics Team to 2nd Place Finish
The Patriots finished second in state behind Carmel High School.
Stevenson’s Ali Castriano ended her gymnastics’ career on a high, yet tearful note, leading the Patriots to a second place finish at the girls’ state gymnastics finals Friday and Saturday at Palatine.
Castriano finished fourth in the all-around with a 38.05 to spark Stevenson to a 149.175, to finish behind Carmel, which won its third consecutive state title with a score of 151.175.
Castriano came back in the individual events and finished fourth in the vault with a 9.725, fifth on the bars with a 9.45, tied for second on the beam with a 9.55 and finished 7th on the floor.
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“It is sad because I am competing for the last time ever,” said a tearful Castriano, who will attend Wisconsin or Michigan next year, but not compete in gymnastics.
“I am really excited I went right for eight in the last two days and that is all I could ask for. And I had my best beam routine of the year.”
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The Patriots were perfect in their routines on Friday, going 20-for-20. Stevenson coach Judy Harwood could not have been more pleased with her squad with included Castriano, along with Becca Feltman-Frank, Elizabeth Shank, Esther Kim, Riley Treblico, Dani Webb, Alyssa Weisberg, Theresa Wojton and Lauren Whalen.
“What a dream,” Harwood said. “It was very surprising. We came in expecting to be fourth and hoping for a chance for third. We had our best meet at the right time.”
“We wanted a podium spot,” Castriano said. “That was our goal all year.”