Boys gymnastics: Lake County team capsules
Independent Conference
Libertyville
Coach: Curt Austin (16th season)
Last year’s record: Third in Independent Conference
Top graduated seniors: Jamie Kadonsky, Alex Kane, Brent Austin, Tim Skurski, Matt Gerjol, Adam Bleck
Top returning competitors: Seniors Craig Breckenridge (tied for 18th in state all-around), Andrew Colunga, Naveen Rajadhyaksha, Eric Rooks;juniors Evan Policht, Christian Bako, Pat Fitzgerald, Quinn Nordland
Key newcomers: sophomores Salvador Ayala, Sergio Ayala
Outlook: With a top-flight senior all-arounder in Breckenridge to lead them, the Wildcats should show gradual improvement throughout the season despite a lack of experience at the varsity level. Libertyville will be facing an uphill struggle against familiar foes Stevenson and Mundelein in the Independent Conference this season.
Mundelein
Coach: Jesse Piland (third season)
Last year’s record: Second in Independent Conference
Top graduated senior: Ryan Menary
Top returning competitors: seniors Scott Marthinsen (17th in state all-around), Alan Hernandez, Alfredo Maldonado, Gary Foy, Josh Galus;juniors Tim Beranek (state qualifier in three events), Ryan Riddle
Key newcomers: Sophomore Theo Vergis;freshmen Colin McCarthy, Cameron Mueller, Kevin Franz
Outlook: With the outstanding all-around duo of Marthinsen and Beranek together for one more season, the Mustangs are ready to put together a great 2011 campaign. Mundelein has already made a huge improvement from its starting point last year with a 144 to open the season, and the Mustangs could be pushing the 150-point plateau or better and a trip to the state meet if all goes well this spring.
Stevenson
Coach: Mike Farina (seventh season)
Last year’s record: State champion, sectional champion, won Independent Conference
Top graduated senior: Lukasz Adamczyk (UIC)
Top returning competitors: Seniors Mike Wilner (12th in state all-around), Scott Siegel (27th in state all-around);juniors Dan Foresman, Josh Tarnoff
Key newcomers: Juniors Davin In, Jacob Weiner, Daniel Yoon, Henry Huynh;sophomores Jesse Hall, Kyle Weichselbaum, Aftab Ali;freshmen Jacob Guth, Christian McCoy, Tony Chung
Outlook: After soaring to the state championship for the fourth time in school history last May, the Patriots will have a much tougher road this year because of a lack of depth and experience. The Pats do have a great senior duo in Wilner and Siegel to lead their squad. But other gymnasts will really need to step up if they hope to make a push for the state meet this season.