Wheaton co-op just misses 160
Gymnasts don’t always zone out beneath their headphones on bus rides.
Wheaton co-op sophomore Ethan Sansone recently wondered aloud to coach Greg Gebhardt if the team could hit a 160 this season.
It fell just short of that magic number during Saturday’s Dave Donaldson Invitational at Wheaton Warrenville South, but its 159.26 was more than enough to beat defending state champion Lincoln-Way co-op, the distant runner-up with a 150.775.
“We were coming back from Lake Park and Ethan says, ‘Do you think we can go 160?’ and I didn’t think so at the beginning of the year,” Gebhardt said. “But I told the guys if they keep developing their skills and working hard they might be able to do it.”
Sansone led the way for the winners, placing second in the all-around with a 51.85, but it took outstanding efforts from several of his teammates for Wheaton to win in convincing fashion. Danny Heller was on the top of list, winning high bar with a 9.5 and placing second on pommel horse with an 8.9. Right behind him was Zach Neal, who claimed second on parallel bars with a 9.2 and third on still rings with an 8.95. Chris Jordan contributed an 8.85 on still rings, while senior Mark Ciesielski took fourth on parallel bars with an 8.95.
“We’re really gaining momentum and they’re all great guys that just want to help each other be the best they can possibly be,” Gebhardt said. “Mark has picked up high bar and parallel bars and really picked us up, Ethan’s doing a tsuk full on vault, and then you also have a four-event guy in Zach Neal and a two-event guy with Chris Jordan. They’ve all worked together to plug in the gaps.”
The team is showing no signs of slowing down and expects to contend for a state title.
“We’ve been going as hard as we can and trying to build and build,” Ciesielski said. “It’s turned out well so far, and we’re just improving our routines and getting our difficulty up.”
Glenbard North freshman T.J. Kennedy placed seventh in the all-around with a 48.525 to help the Panthers edge Glenbard West, 134.725 to 132.85 for sixth place. The Hilltoppers competed without phenom Alex Diab.
“It was tough without Alex, but we still hit on some good points,” Glenbard West senior P.J. McCloskey said. “Cory (Wilfong) got a big score on high bar (8.2), and I think coming off a big win (at Conant on Friday) we did a nice job.”
Lake Park’s Mac Allen placed second on still rings with a 9.05 to lead the Lancers, who finished eighth with a 131.75.
“It was almost like a small state meet and I enjoyed it,” Allen said. “I had a better score on Friday, but with two judges I’ll take it. We have sectionals here, so I’ll basically be back for the sectional meet.”
Hinsdale Central took fourth with a 142.475. Tyler Leahy led the way for the Red Devils, placing fifth in the all-around with a 49.225 and adding top-five finishes on floor, vault and parallel bars. Karan Mahajan added a fourth-place effort on pommel horse for the Red Devils.
Willowbrook was 10th with a 117.8, and Naperville Central scored a 108.9 for 12th place.