Glenbrook South Girls' Gymnastics: Young Guns

It might have taken her by surprise, but junior all-around Nora Landri developed a special affinity for the uneven bars this summer. After all, it was the only event Landri could train for after she sprained her ankle while dropping onto uneven mats following a set of pull-ups.

"It's my best event, and you enjoy what you are good at, right?" she said. "After I sprained my left ankle, I could only really work on the bar. Now it's my most consistent event."

Veteran coach Steve Gale will also look to her for score points in other events, as the Titans bring in 21 to the program. All told, 15 of the 23 (65 percent) varsity gymnasts this year are freshmen.

"She's got a strong work ethic, she likes gymnastics and does it year round," Gale says. "She came into the season in shape and ready to go. Got good skills and a wonderful attitude...And she laughs at my jokes."

Landri finished fourth in conference and qualified for sectionals last season, but didn't get to state. Her return, along with junior Pauline Zielinski helps offset the loss of Melanie Hamilton, the team's lead gymnast last season, to graduation.

"We lost Melanie, and we've pretty young," Landri admits. "We probably won't be that strong this season, but hopefully we'll grow a lot."

For the Titans to get past regionals, it will be incumbent on a few of the freshman to step up and perform well on varsity. Gale will look to senior co-captains Maggie Tuten and Becca Brait to step up and provide the necessary leadership.

Glenbrook South has already established a "Big Sister/Little Sister" program to help welcome the newcomers to the team.

"I want to make sure I'm a good role model who is approachable," Tuten says. "Just try to let [the freshmen] know they need to work hard, regardless of their role."

As for the conference, Gale expects Niles West and New Trier to be tough as always, but thinks the Titans can compete.

"We don't coach to lose – we want to win all the dual meets," Gale says. "Anything can happen; so our job is to be in the best shape we can, have our skills as sharp as possible, and just perform our best. And if we do that, good things tend to happen."