Szot, Wheaton second at state
It's Stevenson's year.
Wheaton co-op was trying to win its fourth consecutive state title on Friday at Hinsdale Central, but the Patriots got in its way, winning with 151.65 points.
Wheaton co-op edged Niles West, 149.4 to 149, for second place.
"I think when they wake up (on Saturday) they're going to be very proud of the season they put together," Wheaton co-op coach Greg Gebhardt said. "It'll take some time for them to put some perspective on it because they came in here shooting for a state title. They had great success this year, though, and we lost a lot of seniors from last year so a lot of different guys stepped up into new roles."
That includes senior Ben Szot, who was a newcomer last year that didn't even compete as an all-arounder last spring. On Friday he placed second in the all-around; he was edged 52.7 to 52.55 by Niles West's Nomondalai Jamiyankhuu.
"To not even do the all-around last year at state and to finish as high as I did is quite an honor," Szot said. "I worked so hard in the gym, so it was great to see my hard work pay off."
Junior Lucas Cooperman placed 13th in the all-around for Wheaton co-op with a 49.45. He scored a 9 on floor while Szot had a 9.1 on still rings and an 8.9 on pommel horse.
Still, it just wasn't enough to win a fourth straight title. The program was aiming to become the first to win four straight since Hinsdale Central (1970-1973).
"These guys did a lot of great things this year," Gebhardt said. "They started at a 137 and topped out at a 153. I feel we maximized everything we could and we knew it was going to be tough here. To walk away in the top three is a great thing because everyone wants to be in the top three."
However, Wheaton co-op realizes that it didn't hit as well as it did at last week's sectional.
"It wasn't our best meet, but at the same time it was still a good meet," Gebhardt said. "These guys really built off each other and they should be very proud of what they did here."
Willowbook took fourth with a 148.55. The Warriors were making their first state appearance since 1991.
It was an unforgettable spring for the Warriors and especially coach John Wronkiewicz, who got married at the end of April.
"It's been an amazing season and I think it's going to take awhile for me to let it all soak in," he said. "As a coach you want to have a fun team and a unified team, and for them to come out and have a season like this was almost hard to imagine."
Adam Sousa led the Warriors, taking fourth in the all-around with a 51.7.
"It's very exciting for me," Sousa said. "As a freshman, the new guy on the block, to get fourth was pretty surprising."
Senior Bret Golz was 17th in the all-around for the Warriors with a 48.5.
Glenbard West took fifth with a 148.25.
"They had their best meet of the season. They peaked at the right time, but it just wasn't enough in the end," Hilltoppers coach Frank Novakowski said. "I'm so proud of these guys. I don't think anyone expected us to be here. We lost nine seniors and we lost Max Diab, but they worked hard all season and fought hard (on Friday). I couldn't ask for anything more from them."
Eric Samuta led the Hilltoppers, taking 15th in the all-around with a 49.15.