Girls Gymnastics: Katrina Carlson, Downers Grove gymnasts combining colors for first time as co-op

Downers Grove South sophomore Katrina Carlson competed at her first girls gymnastics state meet last February with overwhelming support.

There was older sister and all-stater Abby Carlson and Andrea Davenport as senior teammates and fellow individual qualifiers.

Beside them were Downers Grove North’s individual qualifiers, then-senior Brooke Stocki and current junior Gabby Stellato.

“We never really saw each other as hardcore rivals. Being at state, it was just normal to see each other, help each other out and just be together as friends,” Carlson said.

“Having Abby there as a mentor, cheering me on, especially meant a lot. I remember even hearing the North girls cheering me on in the stands, so it was just a great experience all around.”

This season, Carlson and Stellato hope to return to state as official teammates.

For the first time, the District 99 high schools will compete as one co-op team. The co-op is part of the West Suburban Conference Gold Division with practices and competition at Downers South under Downers South coach Kristyn Campos.

New leotards highlight the blue and purple colors of both schools.

“I think everyone’s adjusted to the new gym, new coaches and new girls and teammates. Now it’s just our own big family crosstown. I like it a lot,” Stellato said.

“We all work out together through club season, so we all kind of had relationships before. I think the biggest thing is just overcoming the fear [of new situations]. I think we’ve gotten along really well and everyone’s really excited for the season.”

With six varsity returnees among both 2019 sectional-qualifying teams, the co-op could contend for one of eight team state berths.

Also returning are Downers North senior Lauren Lucina, junior Mia Bowers and sophomore Cherylin Parrilli and Downers South junior Melina Pipilas. Key freshmen are Downers South’s Kate Snouffer and Downers North’s Emily Smetana.

“Combining us has given us a lot skill-wise and a lot more depth. I think we have a really good chance,” Stellato said.

Downers North gymnasts were going to practice at Downers South this season anyway as their new gymnastics area is under construction.

Campos understood concerns of Downers North athletes and parents and immediately contacted them after the official co-op decision in September. Co-op paperwork was due to the IHSA on Oct. 1.

“If [the co-op] is the decision, here are my credentials, here’s my philosophy. Let’s go. The [Downers North] parents reached out and everything kind of died down,” Campos said. “At our parent meeting I said one more time, ‘Let’s be clear. None of us wanted this but this is where we’re at. We’re one team. We’re going to do our best. We’re here for the love of the sport and want to see everyone maintain that philosophy throughout the season.’ ”

There are 29 co-op gymnasts (18 Downers South, 11 Downers North) with 11 freshmen, compared with 43 combined gymnasts last season.

After the retirement of longtime Downers North head coach Linda Reynolds and assistant Sara Farinella, Downers North athletic director Denise Kavanaugh responded that she could not find coaches to continue three levels.

Of two confirmed candidates, one backed out in August. The other has been added as a fourth co-op coach.

“You really have to have a pretty small ratio of athletes to coaches to do [gymnastics properly and safely],” Downers South athletic director Randy Konstans said. “Our whole goal was to maximize participation on both sides of town. [Downers North gymnasts] were going to compete as individuals or co-op.”

Previous Downers North traditions will be added, such as its Fuzzy Socks gift exchange.

“Just kind of blending and building a new team, it’s South and North together so we have to make sure it’s all inclusive,” Carlson said.