This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

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.

Find out what's happening in Buffalo Grovewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“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.” 

Find out what's happening in Buffalo Grovewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

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.”

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?