Hoffman Estates' goal is a trip to state
It has been 20 years since Hoffman Estates has been to the boys state gymnastics finals.
This could be the year that the Hawks are ready to break through. And if they do, they will have the opportunity to compete before the home crowd with the state meet scheduled for May 15-16 at Hoffman Estates.
"That is the goal," said Hoffman Estates coach Ryan Brown, who is on family leave until after spring break after the birth of his son.
"We have some really good younger guys coming up. We mixed that in with some really good seniors and we are looking forward to the opportunity. We started preparing these young guys last year. We made sectionals last year and we are hoping they can produce this year."
The Hawks are making some serious noise already after winning the President's Cup at Glenbard West.
Alex Collier was 29th in the state last year in the all-around last year as a junior. He will be joined by sophomore Alex Serwatkiewicz, who came out for the team this season.
Schaumburg is looking to make its sixth consecutive trip to the state finals. But the Saxons suffered a huge blow when Brandon Nyborg, who was seventh in the all-around last year, was forced to sit out the season out with a back injury.
"We are rebuilding and trying to fill in the holes we have," first-year Schaumburg coach Eric Harima said. "Not just the events, but the leadership role as well. It will be tough, but a we have a good group of guys. The bulk of our team is upperclassmen. We have the talent. They just to deliver the skills and fill in all the requirements."
Trever Bayes, who is a senior, along with juniors Nathan Frank and Oscar Kulesza, who was 17th in the all-around, figure to be a tough trio for the Saxons.
Palatine is home bred with five of its seven gymnasts having no gymnastics experience before high school. Despite that, the Pirates are serious contenders in the West as well as to qualify for state.
"There are some key event requirements that the guys are working hard to get," Palatine coach Scott Hagel said. "If we can improve on those skills then our team score will get a good boost."
Sophomores Trey Wilcox and Dominic Filichia, who both qualified for state in individual events, lead the Pirates. Both will be competing all-around this year.
Fremd will be young with the Vikings graduating five seniors last season. But head coach Jason Brandenburg is hoping his team will grow up fast.
"We can improve by continuing to work together and help each other work through any obstacles that might come up," Brandenburg said. "My expectations are for our team to keep pushing each other hard in the gym. The atmosphere has been great, and I fully expect that to continue."
Tatsuki Kato and Aidan Sciuckas are the only two varsity seniors returning for the Vikings.
Conant will be looking to move up this season. The Cougars are led by all-arounders Isaac Lopez-Salgado and Markus Alvero.
Barrington is hoping to capitalize on its late-season surge last year. Braedon Wever, who qualified for state in a pair of events, will pace the Broncos.
West Suburban Gold: Leyden has been on the rise. The Eagles figure to make a big jump this season with all-arounders Matt Hernandez and Gil Bahena back and could be a threat in the WSG.