Memories end on the medal stand

Perry Zumbrook remembers getting to state on vault as a freshman.

The Glenbard West senior will have even better memories of doing it his senior year.

Zumbrook tied Wheaton co-op's David MacDonald with a 9.75 for the vault title during Saturday's IHSA boys gymnastics individual event championships at Hinsdale Central.

"When I made it to state freshman year I told myself that it's going to happen, I'm going to win this sometime," Zumbrook said. "I proceeded to work my way all the way up until now and I saw Dalai (Jamiynakhuu) put up a 9.6 and then Dave (MacDonald) put up a 9.75 so I knew I had to do it. I couldn't be more happy right now."

Zumbrook had extra inspiration. His older brother Willie, who introduced him to gymnastics, was in the stands.

"I saw him cheering me on, which was awesome because he couldn't be here Friday," he said. "I guess dreams do come true."

It's been a dream-like season for MacDonald. After winning the all-around title and leading Wheaton co-op to the team title Friday, the star senior won four events for the second straight year.

In addition to sharing top honors on vault, MacDonald won still rings with a 9.2, parallel bars with a 9.45 and the floor exercise with a 9.5.

"I'm pretty happy to finish things up like this," he said. "Although, right now, I'm feeling kind of sad because this is the last gymnastics meet I'll ever do because I'm not doing it in college."

Wheaton co-op senior Ethan Sansone added his first state individual title to his resume, which had already included three team state titles and three top 10 all-around finishes.

Sansone dominated the pommel horse with a 9.6, easily besting the 9.35 by runner-up Dalai Jamiyankhuu from Niles West.

"If I could've won one event in high school I would've wanted it to be pommel horse because it's my favorite event," Sansone said. "I'm glad I was able to get the routine for state finals."

Wheaton co-op was well represented in the finals. MacDonald added a second-place finish on high bar with an 8.85 and a third-place effort on pommel horse with a 9.1 and Sansone was fourth on parallel bars with a 9.05, tied for fourth on high bar with an 8.65 and took fifth on floor with a 9.15, and three of their teammates made it to finals.

Connor Ritchie took fourth on still rings with an 8.85, Ben Szot was eighth on pommel horse with an 8.45 and 11th on vault with an 8.7 and Lucas Cooperman was fourth on floor with a 9.2.

"It was my first time here at state finals and prelims so I was just excited to be here," Cooperman said. "I was super glad to hit my routine. There were a couple bumps in the road, but I was happy overall."

Naperville Central's Dom Delgrosso was third on floor with a 9.35 and Ryan Durkin was fourth on pommel horse with a 9.

Glenbard West freshman Max Diab was second on still rings with a 9.1, fourth on vault with a 9.5 and eighth on floor with a 9. Also for the Hilltoppers, Zumbrook was seventh on parallel bars with an 8.9 and senior Joey Mandarino was sixth on still rings with an 8.8.

Glenbard South senior Eugene Boguslavsky placed seventh on high bar with an 8.35.