Boys gymnastics: Glenbard West's Bonokollie tames the horse

Paul Bonokollie remembers when the pommel horse used to beat him up.

Now it's the other way around.

The Glenbard West senior once again dominated the horse, winning with a 9.2 during Friday's Anthony J. Canino Invitational at Hinsdale Central to help the Hilltoppers' boys gymnasts win convincingly with 149.145 points.

"When we were freshmen and even sophomores we kept hitting the horse and our ankles were bleeding and bruising and we just decided that we didn't want that to happen anymore," Bonokollie said. "If you don't want to hit your leg, just go a little bit higher and maybe you won't. I've taken an immense amount of pride in it, and I just want to beat the horse and get better."

His coach, Frank Novakowski, is a believer.

"He's spent a lot of time dedicating himself to that event and he's really come a long way in four years," Novakowski said. "He's a hitting machine right now, and he continues to work hard in practice to try to perfect every skill because his goal is to be a state champion."

Also victorious for the Hilltoppers were Frankie Plan on still rings with an 8.8 and Timmy Le on vault with a 9.5.

"That's going to be a big motivational boost for Frankie," Novakowski said. "We just decided to rearrange his routine and put the giant in there at the end. Now it's a bit more consistent, and his routine wasn't even his best this time since he fell the wrong way on his handstand, but he's doing a great job."

Le wasn't at his best but still scored a 47.3 in the all-around to place sixth. A fantastic vault highlighted his night. He also placed second on floor and still rings.

"Vault stood out most," he said. "I was just happy I hit it."

Matthew Ideler took fourth on high bar and parallel bars and tied Downers Grove North's Lukas Elisha for third in the all-around with a 49.0.

The Hilltoppers showed tremendous depth as Viktor Kovalishin, Aiden Rudolph, Shea Rudolph, Keith Briones, Gunnar Maddock and Michael Yangas also contributed to the team score.

"Matthew had a great meet and Timmy was off a little bit, but we can definitely score in the 150s," Novakowski said. "We went at it hard doing 12 routines the past two days so it really paid off, and hopefully we can keep improving so we can come out on top."

Hinsdale Central placed second with a 143.730 behind a strong performance from Ryan Leahy, who won floor with a 9.2, high bar with an 8.1 and was runner-up in the all-around with a 50.9.

"We had a great meet until horse. I feel we fell apart there and left 2 or 3 points out there," Leahy said. "But it still was probably our best meet of the season so far."

He was pleased to come out on top on two events, especially with the strong competition in the gym.

"It's awesome to be on top," he said. "All year I've been confident with high bar and not missing those routines, and floor is another good event for me. I just try to stay clean and let my skills and routine talk."

Willowbrook's Adam Sousa won the all-around with a 52.35 as well as parallel bars with an 8.8.

"It's extremely special to win," he said. "I'm still growing as a gymnast and know I can get better. I had a couple little mistakes here and there and there's always room for improvement so I'm excited to get back in the gym to work hard for next time."

York finished in sixth place with a 131.950, receiving all-around efforts from Jake Anderson, James Foreman and Kelvin Stevens. Anderson's 42.45 led the Dukes.

Downers Grove South was seventh with a 131.25 with Brock Herion leading the way, placing fifth in the all-around with a 47.7.

Hinsdale South's Kwame Lipscombe was third on high bar and floor as well as seventh in the all-around with a 45.95. The Hornets were ninth with a 121.5.

Addison Trail, which will host the Fred Dennis Invite Saturday afternoon, took 10th with a 113.052. Marcus Rias took fifth in the floor with an 8.7 to pace the Blazers.