State stakes won’t be shocking for Geneva gymnastic’s Ginsberg

GENEVA – A certain level of blissful ignorance factored into Claire Ginsberg’s IHSA girls gymnastics all-around state title last year.

Ginsberg acknowledged it was “a shock” when she learned she was the state’s top all-around gymnast as a freshman after the first day of the two-day competition, a feeling shared by her teammates, including big sister Grace Ginsberg.

“It was so exciting,” recalled Grace Ginsberg, now a senior. “We really had no idea. That wasn’t really even on our minds at all. We didn’t even know the all-around awards were Friday, so when they called her name, we were like ‘Whoa!’ That got everyone really excited.”

Claire Ginsberg might not be as naive this time around as the state meet begins tonight in Palatine, but she appears to be even better positioned to post flashy scores.

Geneva coach Kim Hostman noted an injury early last season limited Claire Ginsberg's freshman year repertoire, saying she's been more impressive as a sophomore.

“We worked a lot over the summer to get skills back in her routines and work through skills,” Hostman said. “So she has a new vault, she has a different series on beam, her bars are a little stronger this year and on floor she has a couple new skills as well.

“Compared to last year, I think she’s a lot more consistent this year, a lot more confident in herself and her abilities and every aspect of her gymnastics. So I think going in this year, she’ll go in with a lot more confidence. Every meet she’s been to, she’s hitting 38s regularly, and that’s her expectation and mine for her.”

Claire Ginsberg’s winning all-around score at the 2014 state meet was 37.875, narrowly edging runner-up Katie Carling of Lyons. Carling has graduated but Ginsberg – who became the first freshman in a decade to take the IHSA, all-around crown last year – expects stiffer competition this weekend.

“My routines are around the same difficulty but my scores have been a little higher, a little more consistent all-arounds,” Claire Ginsberg said. “There’s, I think, harder competition this year, so we’ll see how it goes, but so far it’s been a consistent season for myself and my team.”

Claire Ginsberg said competing alongside her Vikings teammates provides a calming influence.

“If I do what I’ve done all season and just focus on the team, not myself, that helps me to not stay nervous,” Claire Ginsberg said. “The ultimate goal is to win as a team, and then whatever happens in the all-around happens.”

Hostman considers the Prairie Ridge co-op this weekend’s team favorite, but thinks Geneva – which won conference, regional and sectional titles, and is making its third straight state meet appearance – is among the top challengers if Prairie Ridge proves vulnerable.

In addition to the Ginsberg sisters, senior Megan Beitzel, sophomore Julia Grootens and freshmen Lily Chapman, Holly Friedel and Bailey Pihera have been among the team’s key contributors.

Friedel has been cleared for this weekend’s meet, Hostman said, after a frightening injury while competing on the bars at the Glenbard North Sectional. Friedel required about 16 stitches around the eye, Hostman said.

“Afterward we went to [Central DuPage Hospital] and got a team photo with her at the hospital and whatnot,” Hostman said. “It was a good closure knowing that she didn’t have a concussion [or a serious head injury]. … She’s really healing well.”

While Geneva is among the eight teams to qualify for the state meet, Batavia’s Megan McGee and the St. Charles co-op’s Emma Grace-Redmond Mattucci advanced as individual competitors.