Boys gymnastics: Trophy finish for Fremd
Fremd's boys gymnastics team finally got its moment in the spotlight.
Long in the shadow of the perennially successful girls gymnastics team, the boys broke through for a third-place finish at the 65th annual boys gymnastics state finals Friday at Hinsdale Central. It was the first trophy for the program, and Fremd's highest finish since finishing sixth in 1992.
“It is amazing,” Fremd coach Tim Hamman said. “I knew it was going to be really, really close. It is one of the most competitive meets that I can ever remember.”
Fremd scored a 151.55 to edge Mid-Suburban League rival Schaumburg, which scored a 151.10, and Palatine, which was fifth with a 150.15.
Niles West won the state title with a 154.75 while Glenbard West was second with a 154.40.
Schaumburg had finished and was awaiting Fremd's performance on the rings. Fremd's Eric Barnd and Nick Oyasu set the table, scoring 7.85 and 7.95 respectively. Ryan Roth then pushed the Vikings over the top with an 8.35.
“There was a little pressure,” said Roth, a specialist who had not competed for nearly an hour before he stepped up in the rings. “I listened to some music and just tried to stay loose. Then I just went up there and did my routine.”
Fremd scored season highs on the rings along with the parallel bars and the high bar.
“Our three weakest events, we had our best scores of the year,” Hamman said. “The kids really stepped up huge tonight.”
Barnd, who was 10th in the all-around with a 50.10, said consistency was the key.
“We hit everything,” Barnd said. “We got down to rings and we knew we had a real shot at third. And we just did our thing and ended up third.”
The Vikings also got solid performances from Chase Jauch, who was 21st in the all-around with a 48.40, along with Daniel Classon, Cole Patton, Tom Whiteside and Ethan Cho.
Fremd, Schaumburg and Palatine represented the MSL quite well with their 3-4-5 finish. It was the first time since 1991 that three MSL schools had qualified for the state finals. And in a true sign of unity and sportsmanship, the three teams gathered together before the meet began on the floor, for a combined cheer.
Schaumburg coach Erik Bostrom said his team had its best meet of the year.
“It was the the right time to do it,” Bostrom said. “The boys did a great job. We started on horse, which at times can be trouble. The boys hit — and that started us off.”
Chasen Chau, who was fifth in the all-around with a 51.35 led the way for the Saxons. He got help from Anthony Hardin, who was 24th in the all-around with a 48.35.
“I am so proud of our team,” Hardin said. “We could not have done it without everybody's help. I wouldn't trade this team for any other one.”
Shane Donovan, Antonio Orlando, Dylan Mitchell, Brandan Warzynski, Roshan Jamkatel, Alejandro Hernandez, Hazen Rice, Anthony Gershman, Kody Scott, Marco Abundiz and Sulieman Dwaikat all contributed for the Saxons.
Palatine also had one of its best meets of the season. But as veteran coach Scott Hagel knows, there is no defense in gymnastics.
“We had an outstanding meet,” Hagel said. “They were in the meet from the beginning. They were focused on their teammates and enjoying the experience. We did that the whole meet through and it showed in our performance.
The Pirates were led by Prakash Nigam, who placed third in the all-around with a 52.55.
“I thought we had an awesome meet,” Nigam said. “I was happy with how I did out there. We came out here and did what we usually do.”
Palatine's Christian Lunsford was 16th in the all-around with a 49.20 and Matthew Wang, who was 21st in the all-around with a 48.40, were also key contributors for the Pirates. They also had help from Harrison Mathias, Brian Gaytan, Ethan Sciuckas, Brian Pazdioch and Jack Hallier.
Niles West's Nomondalai Jamiyankhuu won the all-around title, which was also decided Friday, with a 55.35. He was followed by Dundee-Crown's Satchel Hudson, who had a 53.65. Willowbrook's Adam Sousa was fourth with a 52.40 while Mundelein's Brandon Swanson tied Chau for fifth with a 51.35.
Hudson, who finished third last year, was happy with his overall performance.
“I did better than I did last year, so that is cool,” Hudson said. “I came here wanting to hit all my routines. I did very well, but had that scare on the high bar. But I was able to hang on.”
Other area all-around finishers included Elgin's Nolan Williamson, who was 13th with a 49.75, Hersey's Matt Phelps, who was 21st with a 48.40, Barrington's Camron Hardegree, who was 26th with a 47.95, and Hersey's Will Nicholson, who was 27th with a 47.70.