advertisement

Mundelein tops Wheaton at invite

Wheaton Warrenville co-op and Mundelein have been two of the more dominant boys gymnastics teams in the state in recent years.

While Wheaton Warrenville co-op has advanced to the state finals in seven straight seasons, Mundelein has appeared alongside them on four of those occasions.

This year both are once again fighting to be among the most elite teams in the state, but it's going to be a huge battle with many other teams in the state already putting up big numbers. Nonetheless, the two went head-to-head during Friday's Ralph Krupke Invite at Lake Park with the Mustangs edging the co-op, 145.3 to 144.0 for the title.

"We're happy we got the win, but we still have to learn how to finish meets," Mundelein coach Jesse Piland said. "We were approaching a 147 and I thought we could maybe get a 148, but we fell apart on our final two events (still rings and vault). Consistency has been our biggest enemy."

Mundelein and Wheaton Warrenville co-op are two of 14 teams to have already scored 140 or higher this season, and five of those same schools have also surpassed 150. Glenbard West has made the biggest statement with an eye-popping 163.40 on March 21.

"We've got to clean up some things and we'll look to do that so after spring break we're consistently in the upper 140s," Piland said. "I know what we're capable of but we're not there yet."

Tyler Collins and Greg Godellas finished second and third in the all-around to lead the Mustangs. Godellas also won pommel horse with a 9.3.

Wheaton Warrenville co-op continues to make strides, including on vault where some gymnasts are now throwing tsuks.

"We're continuing to improve," co-op coach Greg Gebhardt said. "The guys are continuing to push themselves and work hard."

Austin Tate led the way for Wheaton Warrenville, taking fourth in the all-around with a 48.8 while also taking third on floor and fourth on high bar. Joey DiRienzo was second on pommel horse and tied teammate Chris Wiper for second on parallel bars.

"We're getting at it, but we're not at our peak yet," Tate said. "We're going hard at practice and seeing some of it pay off in meets. This wasn't our best one. We had some stumbles here and there, but overall it wasn't a bad meet for us."

Hinsdale South's Kwame Lipscomb had a night to remember winning vault, floor, parallel bars and high bar, as well as the all-around with a 52.0. His effort also helped the Hornets take third overall with a 139.1.

"It was a pretty good meet for me and I feel I've gotten into pretty good shape by now," he said. "I'm probably better right now than I was at this time last year, especially on horse. I used to hate it, but I put in a lot of time on it in the off-season and I guess it's showing."

Naperville North's Cameron Ludeke won still rings to help the Huskies place fifth behind Downers Grove North, 137.65 to 135.8, while the host Lancers were a distant sixth with a 127.35.

"That was huge for me, especially since last year I didn't place on anything," Ludeke said. "I put a lot of work in so that was great. I didn't have my cross, which was big to have a strength move. I worked on it all summer because it was something I was missing. I'm glad I was able to pull it together."

Brian Kay placed fifth in the all-around with a 46.4 for the Huskies.

Luke Badger had the top finish for the Lancers, taking second on high bar with an 8.05.

Conant was seventh with a 125.2. The Cougars were led by Cole Aykroid's second place effort on vault with a 9.45.

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.