Smiles all-around for Gatorano, Palatine

For the third straight year, the Palatine boys gymnastics program produced a sectional all-around champion.

And for the third straight year, that champion will be joining all his teammates at the state finals, which are being held for the first time at Lincoln-Way East High School on Friday and Saturday.

Senior Andre Gatorano scored a 52.50 in the all-around to help lead the Pirates to victory in their own sectional Saturday with a score of 152.50, well ahead of runner-up Stevenson (143.45) and third-place Fremd (143.30).

"That was a nice surprise with Andre winning the all-around," said Pirates coach Scott Hagel. "I wasn't expecting that. He put together some nice routines, especially with his 9.50 (first place) on the high bar."

"It definitely wasn't one of my best meets," Gatorano said. "But we'll move on and keep this in perspective. This meet is no comparison to what we are capable of doing."

"We did enough to get through," Hagel added. "It definitely was not our best meet. Fortunately, we won it, but we definitely have things to clean up to get back to the type of meet we had at conference (156.05 to capture the Mid-Suburban title)."

Senior Dan Murphy gave the Pirates their only other individual championship, winning on pommel horse with an 8.55.

"I felt I stayed tight in all my tricks," said Murphy, who began gymnastics his sophomore year at Palatine after transferring from Otay Ranch High School near San Diego. "I'm just glad my whole team is going to state."

"That was a great routine by Dan," Hagel said. "That was some of the best form I have seen from him."

Stevenson was able to take second place despite being without all-arounder Lukasz Adamczyk, who was fourth in the state on pommel horse as a freshman. Patriots coach Mike Farina said the junior was ill Saturday.

"It was difficult without Lukasz," Farina said. "I found out from his mother at 10:30 (Saturday morning) that he couldn't compete. But these kids all rallied together. It's kind of second nature for them because they've been so used to doing it. I'm so proud of the whole team."

Stevenson sophomore Mike Wilner was third in the all-around with a score of 49.80, finishing behind runner-up Craig Breckenridge of Libertyville (50.15).

"That was Craig's personal high for the all-around," said Libertyville coach Curt Austin. "And Ashton Coulson (eighth in all-around with a 45.65) had a good meet."

Wildcats senior Phil Pakar had quite a day, waking up at 6:15 a.m. to attend a band competition (he plays saxophone) in Champaign, then driving back to compete in the last half of the sectional (8.4 on vault).

Stevenson's Bryan Pusateri took sixth in the all-around with a 46.50.

"We've had so many setbacks this season but we keep fighting back," said the senior, who has been sidelined by a concussion and ankle.

Fremd's third-place finish was sparked by winning three individual events.

Senior Dante Digangi won the vault (9.35) and floor exercise (9.50), while junior Brandon Trostrud was first on the parallel bars (8.9) and fourth in the all-around (47.35).

"That's a nice feat," said Fremd coach Tim Hamman of the three individual championships. "If everything had gone well, we were hoping we could have sneaked in as a team (to the state meet), but we fell a little short. But it's been a great season. The kids did very well."

Digangi also qualified on the floor and vault last year and on the floor as a sophomore.

"I was off on my vault (Saturday)," he said. "I took a few steps. But I am really happy to win the event. I am excited to be going to state in these two events and I'll be working hard this week to clean up things."

Trostrud advanced last year in the high bar and parallel bars.

"I didn't hit my headstand on the p-bars," he said. "If I can perfect that, I can score better."

Barrington's top finishes were a pair of seconds from junior Kellen O'Connor (9.4 on the floor to qualify for his third straight year), and senior Jason Paz (8.25 on the high bar).

"I just did everything I needed to do," Paz said. "I did it just like I do in practice."

"Jason had all the requirements and hopefully he can compete for the top 10 in the state," said Barrington coach Rob Defano.

Mundelein's top performer was sophomore Scott Marthinsen, who was fifth in the all-around (47.30) and third on floor (98.1).