Downers Grove co-op gymnastics poised to contend for second state title

Returning to the girls gymnastics individual state finals on three events Feb. 17, Downers Grove co-op senior Genevieve Herion missed top-five all-state honors on vault and the uneven parallel bars.

Herion still had balance beam remaining.

“I kind of didn’t have any expectations, especially before beam,” Herion said. “My bars and vault weren’t the best I could do so I was pretty upset with myself. I was kind of like, ‘Just got to get through the beam routine,’ and then it ended up being one the best beam routines I’ve ever done so I was shocked.”

Herion became state champion (9.525) – the first on the event in Downers South or North history.

“It was awesome. It was the best feeling, being up there (on the award stand),” Herion said.

“That’s the biggest thing in any meet. No matter what event you’re on, if the one before went good or bad, you’ve just got to focus on what you’re doing now.”

With Herion, sophomore returning all-stater Edie Condon and junior state finalist Kaelyn Landry leading the way, the Trostangs should contend for their second state title and third consecutive top-three state trophy.

Last season, Downers Grove co-op’s 145.40 points finished second to Hersey’s near-perfect 146.25 after capturing the 2023 crown with a 145.575.

Senior Alli Palansky and junior Emilie Kuchta also return from the state lineup. Other varsity contributors are junior Lauren Deacy and sophomore newcomer Caroline Phillip.

The Trostangs already have won invitationals at Glenbard West Dec. 7 and Hinsdale Central Saturday with 142.65 and 142.45 – the state’s two highest scores so far.

“This is a new year and a new dynamic of girls on each event,” Downers Grove co-op coach Kristyn Campos responded.

“In my mind, the success we have had in the past is the past. Those teams were amazing and the girls who remain from them use those memories as motivation. We are lucky to have such talent and depth this year and I am excited to see what they can do.”

Entering her third high-school season, Herion has four all-state medals, two from the program-best six by 1991 Downers North graduate Missy Olson. Both seasons, Herion, who attends Downers South, has qualified for state in all-around and all four events.

Herion added a second 2024 all-state medal with fifth in all-around (37.15). She was eighth on uneven bars (9.125) and ninth on vault (9.3).

As a sophomore, Herion was an all-state in all-around (3rd, 37.40) and uneven bars (tied for 3rd, 9.325) and reached finals on floor (10th, 8.65), vault (tied for 10th, 9.375) and beam (11th, 8.775).

“(Now a senior) I feel like I’m in more of a leadership position so I do a lot of the pep talks,” Herion said. “I kind of feel responsible over the girls. We’re ultimately family and I love them so much and I’m ready for a great season.”

Condon was right behind Herion at state with second on beam (9.475) and a top-10 finisher on uneven bars (7th, 9.3) and in all-around (8th, 36.925). Condon also qualified on vault.

“I didn’t know what to expect (at state) but it was fun. And we had a fun time,” said Condon, who attends Downers South. “I think that our (team) goal has been pretty similar as the past two years. But I think ultimately we’re trying to have fun and stay together as a team.”

Downers North’s Landry also was a beam state finalist (9th, 8.9) and qualified on uneven bars. For the team, Palansky competed all-around and Landry and Kuchta worked three events. Landry and Kuchta also were part of the 2022 state championship lineup.

“Just being able to make the top 10 (on beam) was great,” Landry said. “There are some things we can definitely work on but I think we started off on a pretty strong note. We are in a higher spot than last year (at this point).”

Also at the 2024 state meet, Willowbrook senior Naomi Campbell shared an all-state fifth on floor (9.375), was a beam finalist (10th, 8.35) and was an all-around qualifier. Hinsdale South senior Anya Patel reached the floor finals (10th, 8.925) and qualified for state on beam. Other returning 2024 individual state qualifiers are Glenbard West seniors Grace Flint (uneven bars) and Leah Chapski (vault) and Wheaton co-op senior Rylee Baaske (floor), a Lewis University lacrosse recruit.

Wheaton co-op earned its first state trophy with a third-place 144.875. Sectional scores by Lyons Township (138.40) and Glenbard West (137.95) missed the 141.15 cutoff for the eight-team state field.