Boys gymnastics: Deerfield hits 160.75 in sectional win

Boys gymnastics sectional host Deerfield came up with the highest score so far in the set of five state-qualifying meets on Thursday.

Highland Park junior Kevin Connors won the all-around with a total of 55.7, but Deerfield had the second- and third-place all-arounders in junior Matthew Kroscher (54.15) and senior Louie Solovy (53.0) and produced a winning team score of 160.75.

Highland Park scored 152.95 and is in great shape for an at-large team spot at state, and Palatine placed third at 146.15.

Coach Scott Hagel's Pirates will be well represented at state.

Senior Christian Lunsford earned automatic advancement with fifth-place efforts on still rings (8.9), parallel bars (9.1) and high bar (8.4).

Palatine senior Brian Gaytan had the team's highest finish of the night, second place on floor exercise (9.3).

Buffalo Grove finished sixth at 140.45. The Bison have an automatic state qualifier in senior Bartek Orlowski, who finished fifth on floor exercise (9.2).

Two sectionals remain before the at-large qualifiers to next week's state meet at Hoffman Estates can be determined. Schaumburg hosts a sectional Friday before Lyons completes the sectional suite with Saturday afternoon meet.