Olympic rhythmic gymnasts stay sharp in world, national competitions
United States Olympians Evita Griskenas and Lili Mizuno, who train out of the North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center in Deerfield, each made the finals in events earlier this month at The World Games in Birmingham, Alabama.
In individual hoop competition, Griskenas finished sixth out of 22 competitors in the qualification round, and placed seventh in the finals on July 12 at Legacy Arena.
Mizuno, who placed 11th in the qualifying round of hoop, advanced into the finals of the ball competition. The Northbrook resident finished seventh overall.
On July 13 they both participated in the ribbon. Griskenas and Mizuno advanced to the finals in the sixth and seventh positions, respectively. Griskenas finished in fifth place in the finals, Mizuno seventh. Neither reached the finals in the clubs competition.
On June 25, capping five days of competition at the USA Gymnastics Championships in Des Moines, Iowa, Griskenas won national titles in hoop and clubs. The Orland Park resident also was national runner-up on ball and ribbon, which Mizuno won. Mizuno also placed second on clubs and hoop.
Food Truck Thursday
Canceled for two weeks due to the shootings in Highland Park on July 4, Deerfield is re-establishing its Food Truck Thursday event, starting July 21 at the Jewett Park Hazel Avenue parking lot.
Bulked up from five trucks when it began in June, there will be nine food trucks on-site from 4:30-8 p.m. There also will be inflatable attractions for children and music from Derrick "Seude" Stout.
Purveyors on Thursday include: Billy Bricks Pizza, The Cajun Connoisseur, Donut Jester, Lucky Burger, Mamalicious, Mario's Cart, Nothing Bundt Cake, Porky's BBQ, and Tamale's Express.
Women's Western Amateur
Pared down from an initial field of 120 golfers representing 28 states and 12 countries, the 122nd Women's Western Amateur Championship enters match play Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Sunset Ridge Country Club in Northfield.
The field offers the top amateur and collegiate women's golfers from around the world, with a handicap cutoff of 5.4. Past champions include Patty Berg, Nancy Lopez and Stacy Lewis.
Marissa Wenzler of Dayton, Ohio, looks to repeat as champion, vying against a field that included former Illinois High School Association champions Lauren Boudreau and Grace Curran. They are among 13 players from Illinois who entered the tournament.
Hosting its fifth Women's Western Amateur, Sunset Ridge was built in 1923. Renovated by Rick Jacobson in 2006, Golf Magazine called it the top private course renovation in the country that year. The tournament is conducted jointly by the Women's Western Golf Association and the Western Golf Association.
Attendance and parking for the tournament are free. For information, visit www.womenswesternamateur.com.