Chesterton gymnastics coach Kathy Wilburn has preached about how important depth is all season. Friday night at the Valparaiso Regional, she was right.

The Trojans, without a freshman Emily Kozak and a limited Brianne Hendrix, advanced to the IHSAA State Finals next Saturday with a 109.475. Top-ranked Valparaiso won the Regional with a 113.025.

“The goal today was to be in the top two and the girls accomplished that,” Wilburn said. “We have some confidence going into next week that our depth can come through for us.

We tell the kids to always be ready because you never know when you’re going to get called on. “

The Trojans started the night on the floor with four scores above 9.0.

“It was nice to go out on our two strongest events and be able to go through the rest of the meet with a lot of positive energy,” Wilburn said. “We didn’t feel like we were trying to dig ourselves out of a hole.”

Hendrix started things with a solid 9.1 just ahead of Samantha Wilburn’s 9.45, good for fifth overall. Elizabeth Kozak’s 9.2 was followed by Kelley Freeman’s 9.475 which finished tied for third.

“Kelley’s a great anchor and she just keeps cranking out great routines,” Wilburn said. “As a coach, and a mom, Samantha’s floor routine was really nice. She’d struggled with it some and I think to be that good and smooth was a real boost to the team starting off.”

On the vault, the Trojans’ injuries could’ve had the biggest effect, but they came through with a 28.15 team score.

Lauren Weibl’s 8.9 started things and was followed by Elizabeth Kozak’s 9.3, Alex O’Brien’s 9.2 and Freeman’s 9.65. Freeman’s score was good for second overall.

“We went to both our alternates on the vault and I couldn’t be prouder of them,” Wilburn said. “We really didn’t miss a beat. Elizabeth’s 9.3 was really nice.”

On the bars, Freeman’s 9.275 was third overall, while Hendrix scored 9.025 (sixth).

“Kelley and Bri in the bars put in gorgeous routines,” Wilburn said. “Alex jumped in on bars and did a really nice job too.”

Chesterton finished the night on the beam and faired better than a week earlier at the Sectional. Kozak led the way with a 9.025 (third overall).

“We only had to count one fall and we’ve been working really hard on it,” Wilburn said. “I’m still surprised we fell though. We’ve practiced so well on beam. The confidence is getting there and the routines are getting smoother and more aggressive.”

The Trojans will be appearing in the IHSAA State Final next Saturday at Perry Meridian High School for the 13th time. It will be the fifth consecutive year they’ve qualified.

“Each of these last two week’s it’s just been advance,” Wilburn said. “Next week you let it all go and see what you can do. We’re going there to win.”

1. Valparaiso, 113.025; 2. Chesterton, 109.475; 3. Portage, 105.70; 4. Elkhart Central, 102.975; 5. DeKalb, 99.325; 6. Warsaw, 97.475; 7. Angola 33.70; 8. Wawasee, 24.575.

Vault – 1. Haley Whipps (Valparaiso), 9.85; 2. (tie) Morgan Algozine (Valparaiso) and Kelley Freeman (Chesterton), 9.65; 4. Ashley Farley (Portage), 9.60; 5. Kassidy Swenson (Valparaiso), 9.575; 6. Steffanie Long (Valparaiso), 9.50.

Bars – 1. Morgan Algozine (Valparaiso), 9.60; 2. Haley Whipps (Valparaiso), 9.50; 3. Kelley Freeman (Chesterton), 9.275; 4. Ashley Farley (Portage), 9.225; 5. Steffanie Long (Valparaiso), 9.20; 6. Brianne Hendrix (Chesterton), 9.025.

Beam – 1. Abaigale Light (LaPorte), 9.20; 2. Steffanie Long (Valparaiso), 9.10; 3. Elizabeth Kozak (Chesterton), 9.025; 4. Mackenzie Barcelli (Portage), 9.00; 5. Haley Whipps (Valparaiso), 8.975; 6. Carlisha Carr (Elkhart Central), 8.95.

Floor – 1. Steffanie Long (Valparaiso), 9.70; 2. Haley Whipps (Valparaiso), 9.65; 3. (tie) Kelley Freeman (Chesterton) and Mackenzie Barcelli (Portage), 9.475; 5. Samantha Wilburn (Chesterton), 9.45; 6. Ashley Farley (Portage), 9.40.

All-Around – 1. Haley Whipps (Valparaiso), 37.975; 2. Steffanie Long (Valparaiso), 37.50; 3. Morgan Algozine (Valparaiso), 37.475; 4. Kelley Freeman (Chesterton), 37.00; 5. Ashley Farley (Portage), 36.50; 6. Mackenzie Barcelli (Portage), 36.275.