Oswego co-op gymnastics, led by Sam Phillip and Ava Sullivan, poised for first bid at team state since 2002

Perhaps it’s fitting that seniors Sam Phillip and Ava Sullivan first met as freshman pole vaulters on the Oswego High School girls track and field team.

Now as gymnasts, the individual state qualifiers have helped to catapult Oswego co-op to its best season in more than a decade – and contend for its first berth to the eight-team state meet since 2002.

“I love it. Just one person can make a difference, especially if it’s Ava,” Phillip said.

“We only lost two girls from last year so the bond we have is crazy. Definitely the cheering helps a lot, the energy. This team is just amazing. It’s a family.”

On Saturday, Oswego co-op won its annual Tumble for the Troops Invitational with 142.10 points – the state’s No. 2 season-high score and a significant jump from 140.30 in winning the DeKalb Invitational Dec. 13.

Oswego co-op only ranks behind Downers Grove co-op (144.55 score posted on Dec. 19), the 2023 state champion who took second last season.

“It’s so exciting. We’ve just got to bring this out when it matters, and I think we can do that,” Sullivan said.

“(State is) the priority because if there’s going to be a year where it’s going to happen, it’s going to be this year for real.”

Phillips began Saturday by winning vault with a school-record 9.8 that broke her previous 9.6 mark.

Phillips also won floor exercise (9.55) and all-around (36.60) with senior newcomer Veda Haake second (35.80).

Sullivan (9.15) and Phillip (8.8) finished 1-2 on uneven parallel bars, and Haake (9.4) and Sullivan (9.35) finished 1-2 on balance beam. Sophomore top-five medalists Frani Schulte and Alenna Holden, junior top-10 finishers Frani Valente and Gabby Schulte and junior Emily Kroll also excelled.

With contrasting styles, Phillip has reached state individually her first three seasons and Sullivan her first two after joining as a sophomore. Sullivan competed in just two events Saturday to rest a slight ankle injury.

“Ava will verbalize and draw people in that way. Sam’s not as vocal of a leader but she’s constantly setting that tone and pace. She’ll give advice to athletes when they need it,” second-year Oswego co-op head coach Michael Borge said.

“There’s (also) this other ensemble where you need that third, fourth score. There’s still things we have to go back and clean up, still needs work but the nice thing is this group, in general, is ready.”

Phillip’s 9.8 layout Tsukahara was the first time she ever successfully executed the vault in a meet. The score came from judge Kathy Krebs, longtime meet referee at the state meet.

With the score flashed first toward teammates, Phillip was the one last aware of the 9.8.

“Oh my gosh, I was in shock. (I didn’t realize) until everyone started screaming my name,” Phillip said.

“That was an incredible moment, especially as a senior and here (at Oswego). I love this meet and I’m home so it was an amazing feeling for sure.”

Phillip previously attempted layouts but those vaults were judged as slightly lower-valued pike Tsuks.

“We’ve been experimenting. We knew from warmups that this is going to be the one. She just came out swinging,” Borge said.

“The amount of time it takes to make that couple of seconds look really effortless is the culmination of years and years of work on her part.”

Of course, Sullivan led the screaming teammates, just as she did following Haake’s beam performance.

“I was almost going to tackle (Phillips). Oh my goodness, a 9.8. You’re kidding,” Sullivan said.

“Sam always has a positive energy and is always happy to be here. It’s nice to have someone very level-headed right next to me so we also push each other, which helps a lot for sure.”

Phillip and Sullivan have shared great state moments, especially last February when they reached the individual finals on floor. Phillip was seventh (9.35), just .025 shy of a top-five, all-state medal, and Sullivan ninth (9.0).

In all-around, Sullivan was ninth (36.825), .325 from fifth, and Phillip 12th (36.625). As a freshman, Phillip made the vault finals and tied for 10th (9.3).

“We will make the (top-five, all-state) podium this year. I believe in us,” Sullivan said.

Her freshman year, Sullivan stopped club gymnastics in September. Phillip and older sister Kylie, a 2023 graduate, helped persuade Sullivan to join their high school team.

“I just needed a break so my freshman year I knew I was going to chill but then it was like, ‘Let’s try it out.’ I’m having a lot of fun,” Sullivan said.

“She’s just always cheerful,” Phillip said. “She always gives motivation or pep talks. I love it. She really helps me.”

This season, former club gymnast Haake has been the huge addition. Saturday marked season highs for all-around and multiple events, particularly beam.

“She kind of came out of nowhere,” Sullivan said. “When we go to state this year, it’s because of her because we needed that all-around score.”