Boys gymnastics: Wheaton Warrenville co-op soars to DVC title

Wheaton Warrenville co-op recorded the three highest scores on vault, high bar and parallel bars as well as the top three all-around scores during Friday's DuPage Valley Conference boys gymnastics meet in Roselle.

That provided far more than enough scoring as Wheaton co-op cruised to victory with 145.35 points, easily surpassing the 127.3 earned by runner-up Naperville North.

Lucas Cooperman led the winners, picking up individual titles on floor, vault, parallel bars and high bar while taking home the all-around title with a 50.9.

"It wasn't just me. A lot of guys stepped up today," he said. "Chase McClearn, in particular, really threw in some extra points and had a great meet."

McClearn made his impact on vault, placing third, and high bar, where he took second place.

"I feel like we're getting better and better and stepping it up each day," McClearn said. "We just have to keep improving. There is no time to slow down now. I feel if we keep doing things like this then we'll have a chance at getting to state."

His teammates Aiden Moran and Austin Tate finished in second and third, respectively, in the all-around, while Chris Wiper and Brent Kelpsas posted some solid routines, but their respective scores as specialists were not included as part of the team total since their teammates scored slightly higher.

"We did pretty well. I think for the most part we hit our routines," Tate said. "Each one of us had a bobble here or there, but overall I think we're happy with how we performed."

Injuries have knocked around Naperville North's Yudai Okabe and Naperville Central's Ryan Durkin, but they haven't knocked them completely out as each won the one event they participated in.

Okabe earned the still rings title.

"I'm just glad I'm back for the season, even if it's just one event," he said. "Just to be back in the gym, in general, is a great feeling."

Durkin won pommel horse.

"It's amazing to me that I'm able to be back out there doing that," he said. "I felt it went good today. I felt I deserved a little higher (score), but what can you do?"

Alex Trannon took second on floor and Brian Kay was sixth in the all-around to help the Huskies take second place.

For the Redhawks, who took fourth with a 117.8, Tahj Jacobs was third on floor and fourth on vault.

Lake Park took third place with a 122.0.

Luke Badger led the Lancers, taking fifth in the all-around while Louie Ranieri tied for fourth on floor and Alex Struck was fourth outright on still rings.

"We were shooting for the mid-120s," Lancers coach Tim Whelan said. "We're just starting to increase a little bit everywhere and we'll see where we can get to within two weeks."

Glenbard North's Luke Meister took fourth in the all-around to help the Panthers score a 98.65.