York edges Trojans for sectional crown
Everyone in the building knew it was going to be a clash solely between York and host Downers Grove North for the team championship during Friday's boys gymnastics sectional.
That's exactly what happened - the Dukes were just a tiny bit better than a very good Trojans team, edging them 156.65-156.5.
The Trojans, who have never won a state championship, will likely head to Lincoln-Way East in Frankfort next weekend as an at-large team qualifier, where they'll be one of the favorites to win a title.
Meanwhile, the Dukes will have an opportunity to defend the state title they brought home to Elmhurst last spring.
"Our guys did the best they could, I think, and we know it's a shake of the dice to beat York," Downers Grove North coach Al Bekkedal said. "I think the important thing when you go into the gym you want the kids to hit, and York hit and so did we. Both teams had a positive experience and we look forward to seeing them again in the state meet."
Senior Doug Rybar led the Trojans, winning still rings and high bar outright, tying for first with York's Kyle Carmona in the floor exercise and taking top honors in the all-around with a 56.4.
Carmona and Caleb Strejc provided a potent combination for York. Carmona won pommel horse and vault and Strejc took top honors on parallel bars. They finished in second and fourth, respectively, in the all-around.
While it was a distant third-place finisher, Naperville North was quite pleased to be among the top teams. The Huskies posted a total of 131.
"I thought if we had a really good meet we might have a chance for fourth and we were a little lower than what we could've went but we did that to ourselves," Huskies coach Brad Foerch said. "No one folded out there. I was just so proud with how they handled the pressure, stayed focused on got on a roll."
Naperville North's Josh Soto earned a trip to the state finals on vault with his third-place finish. Kurt Hodges, who placed in the top 10 on pommel horse and high bar, hopes he'll make the final cut of at-large qualifiers.
Led by junior Scott Wiedmeyer, who had the third best all-around total and finished in the top five save for pommel horse, Glenbard South took fourth place with a 130.4.
"It was a nice night for Scott. He had a little trouble on pommel horse and (parallel) bars but did really well on the other events," Raiders coach Steve Young said. "As a team we would've liked to have (scored) a little higher."
Glenbard East's Kirk Jackson punched his ticket to Frankfort. The junior took fifth in the all-around and shined most during his third place effort in the floor exercise.
"As soon as I landed my floor set with my dismount I felt so happy," Jackson said. "It felt so great to pull it off because I was so nervous. Now I'm excited to make my first trip to state."
West Aurora freshman Doug Sullivan didn't appear nervous in his introduction to the state series in taking fourth place on still rings and fifth on pommel horse to earn a trip to Frankfort.
"I'm very excited," Sullivan said. "I was most happy with rings and horse, but I like the other (events) as much but didn't do as well on those today to place."
Other notable top finishers included Glenbard West's Kyle Olsen, who took sixth place on parallel bars, and Naperville Central's Dave Rynearson, who placed 11th on the vault.