District 99 Gymnasts Win State Championship, Welcomed Home With Parade

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — For the second time in three years, Community High School District 99's co-op gymnastics team has won the Illinois High School Association's (IHSA) state championship. Following the meet, which was held in Palatine, the team returned home to a parade that kicked off at Downers Grove North and made its way through downtown to Downers Grove South.

This marks the second time in three years that the team, coached by Kristyn Campos, clinched the state title. The gymnasts beat out Frankfort's Lincolnway East team by just under three points to earn the win. Below is the top five team scores from the meet.

• Downers Grove: 148.45
• Frankfort: 144.55
• Crystal Lake: 145.425
• St. Charles: 143.8
• Oswego: 142.775

Individual athletes from Downers Grove South High School also delivered standout performances. Senior Genevieve Herion, who was the all-round champion for the meet, placed first in the balance beam competition with an average score of 9.575 and second in the vault competition with an average score of 9.675. Herion also placed sixth in the uneven parallel bars competition and eighth in the floor exercise category.

Junior Kaelyn Landry earned fifth place in the uneven parallel bars category and 11th in the vault competition. Sophomore Caroline Phillip placed seventh with her vault routine.

Head Coach Kristyn Campos told Patch, "The experience at state was a culmination of hard work, dedication and teamwork. The girls were committed to the team and its success this entire season. I am beyond proud of their success and so thrilled to be their coach."

The district's co-op team when also won the statewide girls' gymnastics competition in 2023.