L-Way finds a way; Palatine pleased with finish
Mundelein and Palatine didn’t expect to win Friday’s IHSA boys gymnastics state championhip.
Rather, the two teams recognized the gap between themselves and Lincoln-Way co-op, Wheaton co-op and Downers Grove North, and were battling for fourth place and a strong finish to their team season.
Lincoln-Way won its first state title since 2006, beating runner-up Wheaton co-op, 163 to 161.25. Downers Grove North was third with a 156.65 and Naperville North captured fourth place with a 152.65, followed by Palatine’s 149.550.
“We came to this meet after having the most relaxed week of practice because of the huge gap between us and the top three teams,” Palatine coach Scott Hagel said. “I stressed to them that they need to support each other and they accomplished that goal and were there for each other.”
Senior Damian Przystal led the Pirates with a 51.70 in the all-around. Sophomore Jonah Hinz had a 9.2 on high bar, which helped him post a 51.5 in the all-around.
“We got off to a great start on parallel bars and high bar, and then while we didn’t have any huge mistakes, we didn’t hit as big as we could’ve,” Hagel said. “It was an average meet for us, but to finish at 150 at the end of the season, I really can’t complain.”
Mundelein took seventh place with a 148.5.
“We didn’t have any pressure all week because 7 points separated us and Downers Grove North so I wasn’t pushing the guys into crumpling,” Mundelein coach Jesse Piland said. “I told them to just go after it in the meet and anything can happen if you hit your set.”
Freshman Colin McCarthy’s state debut was a fine one, as he led the team with a 51.150 in the all-around. His effort included a 9.3 on vault and 9.150 on parallel bars. Tim Beranek added a 46.9 in the all-around and Scott Marthinsen battled his way to a 47.35.
“Scott (Marthinsen) was out for six weeks and then got a cortisone shot so he was out of practice three days this week,” Piland said. “He gave it his best shot and did alright.
“We wanted to get in the low 150s, which I thought was possible, but we took some hits on rings, high bar and horse. But I’m still proud of the guys for making it here and hopefully we’ll be back again next year.”
Libertyville’s Craig Breckenridge captured third place in the all-around with a 53.5. Rolling Meadows’ Marc Herff tied for 12th with a 51.7.