Scouting Lake County boys gymnastics
Libertyville
Coach: Curt Austin (14th season)
Last year's record: fifth in Independent Conference
Top graduated seniors: Greg Wilhelm, Reed Stewart, Everett Indart, Sean Hamlin, Jackson Kontny, John Lorenz
Top returning competitors: seniors Ashton Coulson, Phil Pickar, Zach Chapman, Kyle Heffern, Sean Conahan, Reo Leung, Jason Price; juniors John Harder, Brent Austin, Adam Bleck, Chris Bryant, Tom Derrig, Matt Gerjol, Jamie Kadonsky, Alex Kane, Kevin Klassman; sophomore Craig Breckenridge
Outlook: After struggling through a lot of growing pains last spring, the Wildcats look poised to have a very solid season with some key new gymnasts in their lineup. Libertyville still has some holes in its scoring entering the new campaign, but coach Curt Austin hopes his specialists can fill in the gaps in three of the Wildcats' weakest events.
Mundelein
Coach: Eric Liva (second season)
Last year's record: fourth in Independent Conference
Top graduated seniors: Rick Fox, Paolo Apuli, Brian Arnold, Nathan Kraus, Nyles Lantin, James Rosal, Mike Wheeles, Sean Hall, Ted Sullivan
Top returning competitors: senior Brad Miller; juniors Mike Agosto (2008 state qualifier), Ryan Menary; sophomores Scott Marthinsen (2008 state qualifier), Alfredo Maldonado;freshman Tim Beranek
Outlook: After losing numerous seniors to graduation, including three state qualifers, the inexperienced Mustangs will be going back to the drawing board in hopes of showing steady improvement throughout the 2009 season. Coach Eric Liva will really have his work cut out if the Mustangs are going to make a serious impact in the Independent Conference standings this spring.
Stevenson
Coach: Mike Farina (fifth season)
Last year's record: second in Independent Conference
Top graduated seniors: none
Top returning competitors: seniors Bryan Pusateri (2008 state qualifier), Bryan Epstein; juniors Lukasz Adamczyk, Dakota Heuer; sophomore Mike Wilner
Outlook: It has been a gradual building process for the Patriots over the past two seasons, but the upcoming campaign is looking pretty bright behind the leadership of all-arounder's Pusateri and Adamczyk setting the tone. Stevenson is not a deep squad on the varsity level as far as numbers go, but the Pats do have some very good experience to carry the majority of the scoring load for Farina.