Boys gymnastics: Scouting Northwest
Season outlook: The Mid-Suburban has been on the rise the past two seasons, sending three teams to the finals in each of those years. The MSL could be just as deep this time around. Expect Schaumburg, Buffalo Grove, Hersey and Palatine to make runs. On the individual side, the area's top gymnast, Prakash Nigam, has graduated after four solid seasons at Palatine. His teammate Christian Lunsford was 14th at state in the all-around and will be one of the top all-arounders in the conference this year. Looking to challenge Lunsford will be Schaumburg's Brandon Nyborg and Oscar Kulesza, Rolling Meadows' Ben Kowlaski, Hersey's Matt Bednar and Garret Naughton and Prospect's Jack D'Onfrio.
MID-SUBURBAN EASTBuffalo GroveCoach: Zach Crandall
Lost from last season: Daniel Gerovoy, Carlo Cirrincione, Jack Delattre, Jorge Jaime-Rivera, Kyle Zyck, Sean Sparkowski, Michael Trandicosta
Returning gymnasts: Bartek Orlowski, (FX, V), Sr.; Paulie Domian, (PB), Sr.; Dylan Horvath, (AA), Sr.; Dabine Yim, (FX, PH0, Sr.; Jared Cihlar, (PH), Sr.; Matt Rivard, (SR, HB), Sr.; Erik Delgado, (FX, PB), Sr.; Vlad Varvaruk, (FX,V), Jr.; Michael Bucaro, (PH).
New gymnasts: Ben Goldberg, (AA), Jr.; Chris Melgoza, (FX, V, PB, HB), Jr.; Josh Cihlar, (AA0, So., Levi Matsuda, (AA), So.; Billy O'Connor, (PH), Jr.; Isaac Gutierrez, (SR, PB), Jr.; Dan Jubea, (SR, PB), Jr.
Outlook: The good news was that the Bison had 17 different individuals compete in the state meet last year. The bad news is that 15 of the 18 scores they counted in the team event graduated. Buffalo Grove coach Zach Crandall will look to get his team back on track to hopefully again qualify for state. Vlad Varvaruk (floor) and Paulie Domian (P-bars) return as state qualifiers. "We will be depending on a lot of guys to step into important contributing roles this season," Crandall said. "As long as the guys work to reach their potential over the course of this season, we can do great things this year."
Elk GroveCoach: Ryan Dengel
Lost from last season: Jim Briggs
Returning gymnasts: Nico Bahena, Sr., (AA); Hythem Sarmiti, Sr., (AA); Alex Martinez, Sr., (FX, PH, V); Luke Alcazar, Sr., (PH, SR, PB); Jairo Ramirez, Jr., (PH, SR, V, PB, HB)
New gymnasts: Griffin McEnroe, Jr., (FX, SR, V, PB, HB); Travis Race, Jr., (FX, SR, V, HB); Justin Ethithara, Sr., (FX, PH, PB).
Outlook: Ryan Dengel has things turning around for the Grens. A strong senior group led by Nico Bahena, Hythem Sarmiti, Alex Martinez and Luke Alcazar has the Grens headed in the right direction. The long-term future also looks bright for Elk Grove. "While we are a senior-heavy varsity group, we have a lot of young talent in our lower levels," Dengel said. "This is our second year coaching this team (with assistant head coach Logan Bradley), and they are vastly improved. There is a very evident culture change in these boys; we are really excited about the future of Elk Grove gymnastics. We may surprise a few teams this year."
HerseyCoach: Joon Yun
Lost from last season: Jason Urban, Nate Campbell, Mark Van Den Avont, Joseph Samperi, Endri Shkembi, Ronan Collins
Returning gymnasts: Matt Bednar, Jr., (AA); Justin Loeung, Sr., (FX, SR, V); Niko Nikolich, Sr., (PB, HB); Evan Johnson, Sr., (PH, HB); Matt Byrne, Sr., (PB)
New gymnasts: Garrett Naughton, So., (AA); Will Stefaniak, Jr., (FX,PH, V, PB, HB); Nick Miklautsch, Jr., FX); Kaleb Sena, Sr. (PH); Colton Rivard, Sr. (SR); Tyler Harris, Sr., (SR)
Outlook: The Huskies could be dangerous with the all-around combination of Matt Bednar, who was a state qualifier on the pommel horse, and sophomore Garrett Naughton. The Huskies also have a nice mix of senior specialists that should improve their score.
ProspectCoach: Julian Basler
Lost from last season: None
Returning gymnasts: Nathan Lungu, Sr (AA); Jack D'Onofrio, Sr., (AA); Matthew Donzelli, Jr. (AA); Michael Murphy, Sr., (AA); Joseph Maret, Jr., (AA); John Sarabia, SR., (AA)
New gymnasts: Aiden Busiel , Jr., (FX,V); Aaron Busiel, Jr., (FX, V,PB, HB), Alexander Tkaczyk , Jr., (PH), Cole Guagliardo, So., (V)
Outlook: In his third year, Basler has got a group that is his own. He will be coaching a team that returns quite a corps from last year. Expectations are still high thanks to Jack D'Onofrio, who was state qualifier on the rings and P-bars, and will be looking to repeat that feat. Matt Donzelli and Nathan Lungu should also be key for the Knights.
Rolling MeadowsCoach: Michael Costa
Lost from last season: AJ Deering
Returning gymnasts: Ben Kowalski, Jr., (AA); Shivam Patel, Jr., (AA)
New gymnasts: Ryan Rettig, Fr., (AA); David Rasmussen, Fr., (AA)
Outlook: The Mustangs will look to mesh a group on veterans along with some promising newcomers. Ben Kowalski, who qualified for state last year on the floor, pommel horse, P-bars and high bar leads the way for the Mustangs. Shivam Patel, along with the freshman duo of Ryan Rettig and David Rasmussen, will be key for Meadows. "This team has potential to be viable in the MSL," Rolling Meadows coach Michael Costa said.
MID-SUBURBAN WESTBarringtonCoach: Rob DeFano
Lost from last season: Daniel Schnura, Joseph Vitacco, Evan Weisman, Resse Axtman, Matt Dai
Returning gymnasts: Braden Detelich, Sr., (FX, V, SR. HB, PB).
New gymnasts: Braedon Wever, So., (FX, PH, V, PB, HB); Jack Skyta, Sr., (FX, SR, V, PB, HB); Westin Stearns, So., (FX, PH, HB, PB); Jon Skowron, So., (PH, SR); Alex Kim, Jr. (SR, V, HB).
Outlook: It is a young and inexperienced team for the Broncos this season. Braden Detelich, who qualified for state in floor and vault, is one of the two seniors on the squad and should be a key factor. He can expect help from sophomore Braedon Wever and senior Jack Skyta.
ConantCoach: Paul Kim
Lost from last season: Parth Patel, Cole Aykroid, Jose Gonzalez, Noah Davis, Artis Hudson, Kevin Lorenz, Moksh Jani, Sam Chernick, Asuka Matsuno, Sr.
Returning gymnasts: Jared Prill, Sr. (PH,SR); Keyan Mayginnes, Sr., (V,PB,HB)
New gymnasts: Thomas Bongiorno, Sr. (AA); Joshua Nunez, Jr., (FX,V); Kyle Jones, Jr. (FX); Caleb Savoy (FX, PH, V, PB, HB); Himal Patel, Sr., (PH, HB); Vraj Kharvari, Sr. (PH, PB); Isaac Lopez-Salgado, So., (SR, PB, HB).
Outlook: Coach Paul Kim returns to take over the reins in charge of a young and inexperienced squad. The Cougars return just two gymnasts from last season and will count on a ton of specialists, led by Caleb Savoy and Thomas Bongiorno.
FremdCoach: Tim Hamman
Lost from last season: Eric Barnd, Ryan Roth, Ethan Cho, Nick Oyasu
Returning gymnasts: Lukas Styczen, Jr., (AA); Arek Alexanian, Jr. (PH0; Liam Bachman, Jr., (HB SR); Matt Walker, Jr., (PB, FX, VA); John Kalopisis, Jr. (PB); Yuto Nakagawa, Jr., (AA)
New gymnasts: Darien Goodchild, So., (AA); Ian Ciborowski, So., (AA).
Outlook: Graduation decimated the Vikings, who lost their four top all-arounders. And Fremd does not have senior on the team this season, so will look to rebuild behind a promising group of juniors and sophomores. "We are very young team with a varsity of only sophomores and juniors," Fremd coach Tim Hamman said. "Looking to develop and grow new members of varsity to set up for a strong finish for this year, but even more for the development for this year."
Hoffman EstatesCoach: Ryan B. Brown
Lost from last season: Will Fernandez, Peter Rivera, John Ray Cuartero
Returning gymnasts: Alex Collier, So., (AA); Grant Davis, Sr. (PH, FX, V).
New gymnasts: Omar Quadri, (AA); RJ Webster (AA); Christian Yabes (SR, HB)
Outlook: Graduation was not kind to Hoffman Esates, which had been on the rise the past few years. The Hawks are on a rebuilding scheme lead by a quartet of all-arounders. "This year's team is one of the smallest varsity teams I've coached," Hoffman Estates coach Ryan Brown said. "I'm proud of them for stepping up and working events which they may not have competed in the past. The work we've put into pommel horse appears to be paying off."
PalatineCoach: Scott Hagel
Lost from last year: Prakash Nigam, Jack Benzo, Trevor Hallier, Harrison Mathias, Joseph Zhao.
Returning gymnasts: Brian Gaytan, Sr., (AA); A.J. Krambeer, So., (AA); Chris Lunsford, Sr., (AA); Nick Vlha, Sr., (SR)
New gymnasts: Corey Robinson, Jr., (FX, V); Evan Limberg, Jr., (PH, SR, V, PB, HB); Trevon Cartwright, So., (AA); Elijah Godinez, So. (AA); Michael Guerrero, So., (AA); Ethan Shenfeld, So., (AA)
Outlook: The Pirates have a huge hole to fill with the graduation of Prakash Nigam, who was the conference all-around champion and won four individual event state championships. But Chris Lunsford, who was pivotal to Palatine's success last year, returns. Lunsford, who was fourth in the state on the rings, also qualified on the floor, pommel horse, vault, parallel bars and high bar. Brian Gaytan, who qualified for state on the floor and high bar along with Nick Vlha, a state qualifier on the rings, and A.J. Krambeer, a state qualifier on the P-bars, also return. "This is the youngest varsity group that we have ever had," Palatine coach Scott Hagel said. "We have five sophomores out of 10 varsity gymnasts. But all four of our returning varsity team members qualified to state on at least one event last season."
SchaumburgCoach: Erik Bostrom
Lost from last season: Chasen Chau, Sam Grzeszkowiak, Dylan Ostergreen, Jordan Nowlin, Roshan Jamkatel, Ethan Vanderbleek,
Returning gymnasts: Brendan Warzynski, Sr., (PH); Brandon Nyborg, So., (AA); Sean Kraemer, Sr., (HB); Kafar Greer, Sr., (PB); Jimmy Minard, Sr., (SR); Jake Raeside, Sr., (SR); Tyler Tyndal, Sr., (SR).
New gymnasts: Trever Baynes, So., (AA); Nathan Frank, Fr., (AA); Oscar Kulesza, Fr., (AA), Wei Ping Lam, Sr, (FX,V); Trever Baynes, So. (PH)
Outlook: The Saxons have a solid 1-2 punch is sophomore all-arounder Brandon Nyborg, who was a state qualifier on the rings, and high bar and freshman Oscar Kulesza. Schaumburg also boasts a plethora of specialists who could send the Saxons back to the state finals. "Since we graduated several strong counting seniors, we hope to build on the remaining core to have another big year," Schaumburg coach Erik Bostrom said. "With a couple returning sophomores, juniors and seniors to varsity, the rest of the team is stepping up and filling in nicely to fill holes where the seniors left them."
WEST SUBURBAN GOLDLeydenCoach: Bill Cordts
Lost from last season: Kevin Anderson
Returning gymnasts: Gabe Bahena, Sr., (AA); Firas Harb, Sr., (AA); Alex Muniz, Sr. (AA); Hector Rodriguez, Sr. (FX, V, PB, HB); Steve Ariza, Jr., (FX, V); Matt Blasinski, (PH, SR, PB, HB)
New gymnasts: Stash Karpiesiuk, Sr. (SR, V); Adrian Trujillo, Jr. (PH, SR, PB,HB)
Outlook: With a solid returning lineup, the Eagles are looking to make a move this season. All-arounders Gabe Bahena, Firas Harb and Hector Rodriguez return to give Leyden its strength while Steve Ariza and Matt Blasinski should provide some depth. "We have a good group of returning athletes," Leyden coach Bill Cordts said. "That should make us competitive in our conference."