Boys gymnastics: Scouting Lake County
INDEPENDENT CONFERENCE
LIBERTYVILLE
Coach: Josh Cimo (first season)
Last year: fifth in Independent Conference
Top graduated seniors: Craig Breckenridge (three-time state qualifier), Andrew Colunga, Naveen Rajadhyaksha, Eric Rooks
Top returning gymnasts: seniors Evan Policht (state qualifier on floor exercise), Pat Fitzgerald (all-around), Christian Bako (three events), junior Sergio Ayala (all-around)
Key newcomers: juniors Arthur Hirata, Brandon Issaacson; sophomores Will Larson, Ben Reichert, Noah Strong; freshman Mark Pickar
Outlook: The Wildcats will have some huge shoes to fill with the loss of elite gymnast Craig Breckenridge (third in state all-around) to graduation. But first-year coach Josh Cimo is optimistic that his squad can approach the 130- to 140-point scoring range by the end of the season, despite not having a lot of experience returning at the varsity level.
MUNDELEIN
Coach: Jesse Piland (fourth season)
Last year: seventh in state, sectional champions, Independent Conference champions
Top graduated seniors: Scott Marthinsen (UIC, four-time state qualifier), Alan Hernandez, Alfredo Maldonado, Gary Foy, Josh Galus, Adrian Roxas, Trevor Walker
Top returning competitors: seniors Tim Beranek (27th in state all-around), Maurice Ruff (three events); junior Theo Vergis (four events); sophomores Colin McCarthy (17th in state all-around), Cameron Mueller (all-around), Kevin Franz (three events)
Key newcomers: seniors Kadeem Williams, Ricardo Agredano, Nick Dudzinski; sophomore Jacob Petri (all-arounder, transfer from Wisconsin)
Outlook: The Mustangs will face a real challenge in replacing elite all-arounder Scott Marthinsen. But they do have a lot of depth and experience to fall back on with the all-around duo of Colin McCarthy and Tim Beranek setting the tone for the squad. The addition of Jacob Petri to the lineup could make a huge difference for Mundelein when the state series rolls around.
STEVENSON
Coach: Dexter Victoria (first season)
Last year: second in Independent Conference
Top graduated seniors: Mike Wilner (University of Illinois), Scott Siegel (University of Illinois)
Top returning competitors: seniors Josh Tarnoff (all-around), Austin Lee (pommel horse), Dan Forsman (still rings, vault)
Key newcomers: junior Kyle Weichselbaum (four events); sophomore Jacob Guth (five events); freshman Arie Feltman-Frank (all-around)
Outlook: The Patriots are in the same situation as many other Lake County squads, as they will try to fill the void left by elite all-arounders Mike Wilner and Scott Siegel to graduation. Stevenson does have a solid new leader in freshman all-arounder Arie Feltman-Frank, but overall the team is young and inexperienced. Victoria returns as head coach this season replacing Mike Farina, whose very successful seven-year run included a state title in 2010. The Patriots hope to show steady improvement as the season progresses, but they do not have the firepower they did in 2011.