If first impressions mean everything, Kelsy Kurfirst sure made a good one.
The freshman gymnast won event titles on the uneven bars (9.45) and floor exercise (9.45) at the Hinsdale South Invitational on Wednesday in her first high school meet. She also took home the all-around title (9.3125) while helping Lyons to second place, just 0.15 points behind Waubonsie Valley.
"I was pretty excited my high school season started on a good note," she said.
Not that there is any pressure on her. Her brother Kyle was named the 2010 Chicago Tribune soccer player of the year and also played on the 2009 Lyons team that won the Class 3A state title.
But Kelsy Kurfirst has been preparing for the past two years, talking with coach Kari Karubas and attending summer workouts with the team.
Team. That is probably the biggest adjustment for Kurfirst, who is used to competing solo on the club level.
"She was very nervous because it is not just about you," said Karubas, who was a club gymnast and competed at Illinois. "She was really nervous about having a team and knowing every little thing she does impacts them."
While the nerves were there, the presence of the team also helped Kurfirst.
"It was great having the team cheering for me," she said. "(The upperclassmen) have definitely told me what to expect and how to adjust to everything."
Karubas hopes Kurfirst can help elevate the performance of the other girls, and help erase a bitter taste in their mouths after they didn't qualify for state last season.
At the same time, Karubas is conscious of trying to reduce the pounding Kurfirst will endure during the high school season. She will participate in about 15 meets, as opposed to just three or four in a club year.
So far the transition has been almost seamless.
"I had a club meet a week before high school tryouts," Kurfirst said. "Those routines are pretty much the same routines I used at the Hinsdale South meet."