Hinsdale South needed another gymnast to round out what looked like a promising lineup this year.
The Hornets had to replace Lauren Haney, one of the team’s top performers last season who graduated.
That’s when a determined sophomore came out for the team and helped Hinsdale South accomplish achievements it hadn’t attained in 27 years. That newcomer, ironically, was Lauren Haney’s sister, Erin.
Erin Haney had been competing in gymnastics since she was 6 years old, but never had a string of bad luck like last year.
She lost her grip performing a bars routine and landed on her arms, which were locked, and had to sit out last season after tearing a tendon in her left arm and breaking her right arm. She needed two surgeries and wore a cast on both arms.
In a separate injury, she also underwent surgery after she broke her foot after a fall.
“My heart just wasn’t into it as much after the injuries,” Erin Haney said. “It was challenging and took a while (to heal).
“The first surgery didn’t go as it was supposed to and the recovery took longer, so I kind of lost interest in the sport. I think the break helped me relax and take my mind off of things.”
Haney took six months off from gymnastics after recovering, but decided to return for this high school season and has been instrumental in the Hornets’ success.
She finished third in all-around (34.975) on Feb. 1 to help Hinsdale South (138.425) win the Sandburg Regional in Orland Park. It was the program’s first regional championship since 1989.
“It’s my first year (competing in high school) so it’s awesome to achieve something this big,” said Erin Haney, a longtime member of the Illinois Gymnastics Institute. “My expectations for myself were pretty low because it was my first time doing gymnastics in about a year, so I was not expecting to make it to sectionals. I’m really happy with how the whole team is doing.”
Hinsdale South was set to compete in the Hinsdale Central Sectional on Wednesday, Feb. 10. Berths were on the line for the state meet, Feb. 20-21 at Palatine.
“(Erin Haney’s) had an incredible impact,’ said senior Maddie Nowak, who took second (37.175) in all-around at the regional. “Her sister graduated so we needed someone else to step up on the team and she has really filled her spot. She’s been pushing herself this year and has overcome a lot of injuries. She competes with a lot of grace under pressure.”
Hinsdale South coach Mia Tritch sees the same sort of traits in both Haney sisters.
“Erin and Lauren are similar in that they both have a very calm and cool attitude,” Tritch said. “Erin and Lauren both have a silly personality and it’s nice to have that on the team because Erin relaxes others.
“Erin has been such a great addition to the team for so many reasons. Without Erin stepping up this season to get all her skills back we would not have won regionals as a team. Erin (did) a vault that she hasn’t done in over two years at regionals and was finally able to compete all-around with most of her skills from two years ago.”
Erin Haney credits Nowak, who earned three state medals last season, with helping her transition to high school gymnastics.
“I love Maddie,” Erin Haney said. “She is so awesome. When everyone is jittery and nervous, she tells us to relax and is so encouraging and helpful when we’re trying new skills.”
Ken Ryan is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
