Boys gymnastics: Libertyville tops Stevenson despite Krames' big effort
The final results went down to the last rotation Tuesday night as host Stevenson was ready to make some big improvements in this boys gymnastics double-dual meet.
The Patriots (0-2, 0-1) soared to a season-high 128.0 points. But that was not enough to stop Libertyville, as the Wildcats also posted a season-high mark with 133.1 points to win an Independent Conference showdown in Lincolnshire.
Glenbrook North (4-4) went 1-1 on the evening as the Spartans scored a season-high 131.4 points to edge Stevenson in non-conference action; the Spartans dropped their nonconference matchup against Libertyville (2-2, 1-1).
Stevenson junior Matt Krames really shined for the Pats as he rolled to the all-around championship with 50.4 points for an average of 8.40 points per event. It was the second-highest career all-around score for Krames, who placed sixth in the state all-around as a sophomore with 50.9 points last season.
"I think the big news today was Krames breaking 50 points and that was the highlight of the day," said first-year Stevenson coach Joe Rogalski, whose team scored 24.6 points on floor exercise. "We're going to add some skills, and hopefully we can add about 3 points on Saturday and break 130 at York."
After scoring 132.8 points at the Bohl Invitational last Friday in Mundelein, the Wildcats moved up one more notch Tuesday behind junior all-arounder A.J. Jacob (44.2 points), who placed second overall, and sophomore teammate Pat Tanski (40.6 points), who placed fourth overall.
"At least we're staying consistent at the 133 mark and overall tonight it wasn't that great a performance with a lot of mistakes," said Libertyville coach Josh Cimo, whose team scored a meet-high 25.9 points on vault. "You could just tell the guys were tired, we've been pushing really hard in the gym, and the mental preparation just strains you."
Besides a career-high 8.9 for first place on parallel bars, Krames added winning scores of 9.1 on floor exercise, 9.0 on vault, 8.4 on still rings, and 8.0 on high bar.
"It was the first time I threw a double-back on parallel bars so that was a success," said Krames, who reached the state finals last season on parallel bars and high bar. "I'm definitely happy with where I am right now, and I'm ahead of the game from where I was last year at this point. In the next month I want to score at least a 51 and then I will feel more comfortable heading into the state meet."
Jacob was the pommel horse champion with a 7.7 while senior teammate Jade Fisher took runner-up honors on floor exercise with an 8.5.
Libertyville junior Jacob Reichert added a second-place 8.9 on vault followed closely by Jacob (8.8) in third place on that event. Jacob and Tanski (8.0) tied for third place on parallel bars while Krames (7.0) tied for second place on pommel horse.
"A.J. (Jacob) looked alright, but he was probably only three for six today and he had a big step on vault," added Cimo, whose team will compete at the Conant Invite on Friday night. "They're doing pikes and layouts on vault now so that helps our value and we're hoping to improve a little more on Friday with a 135 or a 136."
Tanski and junior teammate Erik Meyer (8.1) tied for fourth place on floor exercise while Tanski (8.2) placed sixth in the crowded vaulting field. Libertyville senior Alec Ovassiapian (7.3) edged Tanski (7.2) for fourth place on still rings. Meyer (6.4) nipped Tanski (6.3) for second on high bar.
Glenbrook North's Jack McGreal placed third in the all-around with 42.7 points.
"He (Krames) added a double back flip on parallel bars, he had a good stick on high bar, and another good vault," added Rogalski. "That consistency adds up to almost a full point in the end, and I think he is still on target for his goal of reaching top five (in the state)."