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Boys gymnastics: Wheaton co-op makes it eight straight

The last time Wheaton co-op didn't advance to the IHSA boys gymnastics finals, George W. Bush was in the Oval Office.

It was just another day at the office - better known as the home gym - for Wheaton co-op during Wednesday's Wheaton Warrenville South sectional, and its ovals came in the form of the No. 8 as it advanced to the IHSA state finals for the eighth consecutive season.

"I felt tonight was very special, especially because of all the injuries we've had this year," Wheaton co-op coach Greg Gebhardt said. "Hinsdale Central is very good and Downers South is getting better. This was a tribute to our guys, with the next guy up really working hard and staying loose and competing well in a tight meet with a lot of pressure."

Outside of Hinsdale Central, no other team came close to upending the hosts. Wheaton finished with a 148.1 while the runner-up Red Devils earned a 145.8.

"It was a huge accomplishment to go out and get a season high at sectionals," Wheaton co-op senior Lucas Cooperman said. "It was definitely a really big confidence builder, especially since we've had some injuries and people have had to step up."

The winners were led by Cooperman, who tied for second in the all-around, and sophomore Aiden Moran, who placed fifth. All six of Cooperman's events counted toward the team's total, while Moran contributed five scores and junior Austin Tate delivered four important ones.

While those three made the most contributions, senior Chase McClearn, junior Trent Hartman and freshman Chris Wiper all provided a key counting score in one event apiece to help the team score a season high, eclipsing the 147 it had on March 24.

"We have insurance scorers, so if one of the older guys doesn't hit his routines there are guys to back him up," Cooperman said. "Austin fumbled a little bit on pommels, but Brent (Kelpsas) put up a nice score and a new sophomore, Jeffrey (Huecias) got a chance tonight for the first time at varsity."

Neuqua Valley newcomer Eric Mitchell, a product of Premier West, had an unforgettable debut as the freshman won pommel horse, parallel bars and high bar. He also tied for second place in the all-around with Cooperman.

"It was a lot of fun so I was glad that I was able to come out," Mitchell said. "It's a lot more relaxed than club and everybody is rooting for each other. It doesn't matter what team you're on and it's run in a much more fun way."

Mitchell said he's always enjoyed events like parallel bars and high bar because he finds them to be the most fun.

"It helps that I do well on them most of the time," he said. "Now I'll be able to come into state with more confidence and I'll be more relaxed because I know how the meet is run and what to expect."

Naperville North senior Yudai Okabe kept his season alive by winning still rings. He'll advance to the state finals beginning on May 13 at Hinsdale Central although his team, which finished in fourth place with a 135.2, saw its season come to a close. But retiring coach Brad Foerch still has a little more coaching to do for Okabe.

Naperville Central senior Ryan Durkin has a slipup near the end of his pommel horse routine, but he still managed to snag second place and automatically qualify for state.

"I'm not really mad about it. I'm just happy to still have a chance to go to state where I'll give it my all and hopefully win it this time," he said. "I felt like I had a really good routine, but then I bent my knee and hit the pommel. Mistakes happen though and I think it was because I had been out a while and my endurance is low."

The Redhawks placed seventh with a 121.6.

Hinsdale Central junior Ryan Leahy won the all-around with a 51.95. He also won vault.

Hinsdale South junior Kwame Lipscomb took home top honors on the floor.

The four remaining sectionals will take place through Saturday, and several local gymnastics remain alive for at-large qualifiers but won't learn their fate until the final sectional is completed late on Saturday evening.

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