The Chesterton gymnastics team got a big boost on Thursday night with the return of senior Kelley Freeman and picked up a 107.25-103.2 Duneland Athletic Conference victory at Merrillville.

“Overall you could just see the rest of the team lift up with Kelley back in the lineup,” Chesterton coach Kathy Wilburn said. “This is such a close group, that having a key member gone was really difficult. Everyone was just so excited to see her back out there.”

Freeman started with a bang by winning the floor exercise (9.55).

“Kelley came back and performed in three events,” Wilburn said. “She was worried about her endurance on the floor and still got a 9.55. And she didn’t have all her difficulty in it.”

Emily Kozak took top honors on the bars (9.025) and finished second in the all-around (35.775).

“Emily just keeps on doing her job,” Wilburn said. “She consistently keeps pounding out the routines wherever we put her and whatever event we put her in. She keeps adding skills to her routines, even this late in the year.”

Brianne Hendrix finished third in the all-around, while Alex O’Brien also had a solid night for the Trojans.

“Brianne had another consistent meet for us,” Wilburn said. “It’s nice to have a senior that continues to do that. Alex O’Brien, in every meet, has been scoring better and better. She’s really giving us that depth that we are going to need as the year goes on.

“She is becoming a really important part of this team.”

Vault -- 1. Chandler Hill (M), 9.2; 2. Brianne Hendrix (C), 9.15; 3. Alex O’Brien (C), 9.05.

Bars -- 1. Emily Kozak (C), 9.025; 2. Kelley Freeman (C), 9.0; 3. Brianne Hendrix (C), 8.8.

Beam -- 1. Chandler Hill (M), 9.275; 2. Emily Kozak (C), 8.65; 3. Theresa Yugo (M), 8.3.

Floor -- 1. Kelley Freeman (C), 9.55; 2. Emily Kozak (C), 9.4; 3. Chandler Hill (M), 9.1.

All-Around -- 1. Chandler Hill (M), 36.225; 2. Emily Kozak (C), 35.775; 3. Brianne Hendrix (C), 35.125.