No slowing down Patriots in win over Libertyville
The Stevenson boys gymnastics team looks ready to return to the big stage this spring despite not being a full strength yet.
Coming off spring break last week, the host Patriots soared to a season-high 149.75 points Tuesday night to topple rival Libertyville (133.35) in this Independent Conference dual meet.
Junior Lukasz Adamczyk rolled to the all-around crown for Stevenson (3-0, 1-0) with a 9.08 average while sophomore teammate Mike Wilner took second place overall with an 8.43 average.
Libertyville (3-2, 1-1) was led by senior Ashton Coulson's third-place 8.01 average in the all-around followed by Stevenson's Dakota Heuer (44.8) in fourth and Libertyville's Craig Breckenridge (44.5) in fifth.
The Patriots have put together a great start to their 2009 season even without the services of UIC-bound senior all-arounder Bryan Pusateri. Pusateri has not competed this season due to a concussion followed by his current ankle/foot injury, but he may return to the lineup in at least some capacity in the near future.
If Pusateri can return as a full-strength all-arounder, he could add as much as 6 to 7 points to the Pats' team score. Stevenson won three state crowns from 2002-2004.
"We're going to try to get him back in a few weeks and we're working intensely with trainers and doctors," said Stevenson coach Mike Farina, whose previous high score was a 143.9. "It will help our team score tremendously if we get him back, but right now we have to evaluate it and make sure we treat it right."
Adamczyk posted top scores of 9.6 on pommel horse, 9.0 on parallel bars, and 8.6 on high bar. Wilner was the still rings champion with an 8.8 while teammate Bryan Epstein and Coulson (9.2) tied for first place on floor exercise.
"I think I did pretty good, but I played it kind of conservatively tonight," said Coulson. "Hopefully I can step it up for the Thursday meet at Mundelein and next week at the Conant meet."
Coulson added a first-place 9.35 on vault to outdistance Adamczyk (9.05) in second, and Wilner (8.6) in third. Wilner took runner-up honors on parallel bars with an 8.7 and high bar with a 7.8. Adamczyk and Coulson (8.0) tied for second on still rings while Wilner added a third-place 8.9 on floor.
"Ashton had a good meet as an all-arounder, but I think the meet was too soon after spring break for us," said Libertyville coach Curt Austin. "If they (Stevenson) keep going like that they are going to be a state-bound team and they should be proud of themselves."
Libertyville will be among the teams competing in the powerful Bohl Invitational Thursday night at Mundelein.