C-G gymnast Loehner flips for EMU

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Cary-Grove senior Chantelle Loehner remembers two coaches who had a lasting effect on her gymnastics career.

One is Chris Riegell, her coach at Crystal Lake Gymnastics Training Center, with whom she has worked for about six years. The other Loehner did not mention by name, but Loehner has recalled her words and used them as motivation since she was 8 years old.

“She told me to quit,” Loehner said. “I went home crying that day. She told me I wasn’t good enough. I never quit or give up on anything.”

Loehner reached a level few aspiring gymnasts do. She recently committed to NCAA Division I Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti and will attend the school on an academic scholarship.

Loehner visited EMU last summer with her father, Mark, and has corresponded with assistant coach Andrea Silk since. She made her official visit with her mother, Julie, 11⁄2 weeks ago, this time meeting the girls on the team. Head coach Steve Wilce made her an offer and she accepted before coming home.

Loehner will receive full academic scholarship her first year, then receive a full athletic scholarship from her sophomore year on. She doesn’t compete in IHSA gymnastics, but competes for CLGTC’s team as a Level 10 gymnast.

“[EMU] wants me to compete in all-around as a freshman,” Loehner said. “When we were there the coach asked if this visit will seal the deal. I said [EMU] was where I wanted to go.”

Loehner started with gymnastics when she was 11⁄2 years old. Later, she moved to CLGTC and had a pivotal moment with criticism when she was 8. If the coach was trying to push Loehner’s buttons, it worked. It has served as motivation for a long time.

A couple years later, Riegel became Loehner’s coach and had a profound effect on her career.

Haubold to Cornell: Woodstock catcher Abby Haubold, a four-year starter for the Blue Streaks’ varsity team, will continue her softball career at Cornell College, a D-III school in Mount Vernon, Iowa, next year.

Haubold caught both of Woodstock’s Schulty sisters – Niki and Taylor – during her career. She also has played travel softball with the Crystal Lake Tidal Waves.

“I really like the class program setup they have,” Haubold said. “They take one class for three weeks. I thought that was kind of neat.”

Haubold found some mail from Rams coach Shanda Ness last year and found more information about the school.

“She would call me and tell me they were real interested,” Haubold said. “I’m excited. Ever since I started playing travel at 10 years old, I’ve always loved softball and didn’t want to stop playing.”

The Rams are 18-11 this season.

• Joe Stevenson covers high school sports for the Northwest Herald. He can be reached at 815-526-4513. He also can be reached by fax at 815-459-5640 or by e-mail at jstevenson@nwherald.com.