Boys gymnastics: Sousa marches to tie for first place in state all-around
Adam Sousa was in a state of shock Friday night.
The Willowbrook senior, who didn't compete for the Warriors last spring, won the all-around title during the IHSA boys gymnastics finals at Hoffman Estates.
Sousa, who had placed fourth in the all-around during his freshman and sophomore years, became just the second Willowbrook gymnast to win the all-around title, joining Neil Schmitt who did it during his senior year in 1964.
"It still hasn't set in yet," Sousa said. "I think I'm still in shock, but it feels pretty good."
Sousa was pretty positive that his 55.6 was a personal best. He needed all of it to tie Highland Park junior Kevin Connors for the title.
"It was really neck-and-neck and we were both duking it out," Sousa said. "I would beat him on an event and he would beat me. It was just going back and forth and a really good exchange between us. I don't think that happens, like ever really, so that was really cool."
Sousa and Connors became the first all-around co-champions in IHSA history.
"I was really proud of myself," Sousa said. "I wouldn't have had it end any other way than tying with Kevin. I respect him a lot and he's a great gymnast."
Downers Grove North senior Lukas Elisha placed third with a 54.35.
"I was pretty nervous after I saw the results from the sectional," he said. "I kind of just went into practice with the mindset that we have a bunch of talented gymnasts and it's going to come down to who sticks and hits their sets."
He hit his.
"I was disappointed after (pommel) horse with the score and thought I could do better," he said. "So I just pushed myself on my best two events - p-bars and high bar - and I was really just happy with my sets and the scores were great."
Wheaton Warrenville co-op senior Nicky Franz was fifth with a 53.95, Neuqua Valley freshman Michael Baren placed seventh with a 53.25 and Glenbard East senior Marc Le was eighth with a 53.0. Glenbard West sophomore Alexander Demeris was ninth with a 52.85 and teammate Shea Rudolph placed 11th with a 52.65.
The Hilltoppers captured the second-place team trophy, nearly catching state champion Deerfield.
Deerfield outscored Glenbard West 159.8 to 158.4 but the teams were tied at 132.35 going into their respective last event, with the Hilltoppers finishing on still rings and the Warriors closing on parallel bars.
"This was our best meet of the season for sure," Demeris said. "Last year we were talking about how we scored lower than our best, but this time we were higher and we proved how good we can be."
The Hilltoppers aced their practice meet Wednesday so they came into Hoffman Estates confident and knowing what they were capable of accomplishing.
"We simulated what today would be like to get them ready and they went out and hit it light's out," Hilltoppers coach Frank Novakowski said. "They really believed they could do it, so kudos to them. They earned it."
Last year Glenbard West edged West Suburban Silver rival Lyons Twp. for the state title after being edged by Niles West in 2016. This year Lyons beat Glenbard West four times during the regular season and at the sectional. Not this time.
Lyons placed third with a 156.55, edging Wheaton co-op, which was fourth with a 156.1. Wheaton co-op's Aiden Moran had a 51.2 and his teammate and fellow senior, Joey DiRienzo, scored a 49.85.
"We just focused on the positive mental focus and really tried to get them to believe," Novakowski said. "There are a lot of good leaders on this team and they really rallied around each the whole meet and it started with the first and second guys stepping up, starting strong and then we just hit, hit, hit and kept it rolling."
Downers Grove North placed eighth with a 150.35.