Hinsdale South wins Gold crown

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Hinsdale South's Jessica Hawken finished first in the all-around at the West Suburban Conference Gold Division meet. | Jon Langham~for Sun-Times Media

Updated: March 3, 2012 11:27AM

Hinsdale South’s celebration after winning the West Suburban Conference Gold Division title didn’t last long.

The Hornets were among the first teams to open the postseason Monday night and were unable to qualify anyone with an automatic berth for the Hinsdale Central Sectional Feb. 6.

Hinsdale South finished fourth (130.525) in the Oswego Regional Monday night. No member of the Hornets finished in the top five in any event, which means Hinsdale South will play the waiting game the rest of the week to see whether any of its competitors are able to gain an at-large berth into the sectional.

At Saturday’s conference meet at Addison Trail, sophomore Jessica Hawken (33.675) and freshman Lauren Haney (33.30) finished 1-2 in the all-around to lead Hinsdale South to its first Gold title since 2007.

After the win, Hornets coach Jennifer Fichter distributed T-shirts to her team with the message: “Small team … Big heart … One huge accomplishment.”

Fichter gambled by entering only four gymnasts — no specialists — as all four competed in the all-around. Fichter didn’t leave much room for error when teams are allotted five competitors per event, but only the top four scores count toward the team standings.

“I put our fifth scorer on the JV,” Fichter said. “It put pressure on the girls. They had to go 16-for-16.”

The conference meet was delayed nearly an hour at the beginning when an Addison Trail competitor broke her ankle. The meet was stopped until paramedics treated her and sent her to the hospital.

Perhaps the biggest surprise came on the most difficult event when all four Hornets gymnasts completed the balance beam without a single fall. Hawken (8.2) and Haney (7.975) placed 3-4 in that event.

The Hornets scored a season-high 131.375 to beat Downers South (129.15) for the conference crown. Hinsdale South completed the sweep by winning all five of its conference dual meets.

Hawken won the all-around, but Haney won conference titles on the uneven bars (8.125) and floor exercise (8.725). Hawken was fourth on vault (8.65), second on bars (8.1) and second on floor (8.725).

“Lauren is one of the hardest workers in the gym,” Fichter said. “She works so hard all day. She’s so motivated to get better.”

Afterward, the team celebrated with free meals at a nearby Chipotle restaurant courtesy of the owner. During the season, Fichter awarded her gymnasts for top performances with coupons from Chipotle.

“I told them if they go 4-for-4 on the beam, I will get them Chipotle and the owner bought the girls a meal.”