Boys gymnastics: Prospect claims MSL title
History has a way of repeating.
The last time Prospect competed in the Mid Suburban Conference boys gymnastics meet at Fremd, Prospect won the title. The Knights were back in the same gym 12 years later and Prospect came away with the same result.
Prospect won the MSL title with a 150.50 to finish in front of Hoffman Estates' 150.05 and Palatine's 148.90. Hersey was fourth with a 138.35 and Barrington was fifth with a 132.40.
Prospect coach Julian Bassler said he loves coming to Fremd.
"We love coming here for conference," Bassler said. "This is our third 150 this season. And we still aren't completely hitting our routines. So we are in a good place. I think we can squeak out two to three to four points."
Hoffman Estates continued its push forward. The Hawks broke a school-record with their score, eclipsing the 150-mark for only the third time in school history and their highest score this season.
It comes at a great time for Hoffman Estates. The Hawks, who are at the Palatine sectional on Wednesday, are seeking their first appearance at the state finals since 2000.
"This meet we came in knowing was just a practice for us," Hoffman Estates coach Ryan Brown Jr. said. "It's practice competing under pressure and with two judges. We were really competing with ourselves to get ahead of what we did last week. And momentum going into Wednesday."
Palatine was a bit short-handed. But thanks to a record-setting performance by Trey Wilcox, the Pirates were still able to come away with a third-place finish.
"They had a great meet," said Palatine assistant coach Tim Hamman, who was subbing for head coach Scott Hagel who had a family commitment.
"It is always tighter with two judges. I think this sets them up for sectionals. Just the fact that from top to bottom everyone was clean."
Wilcox was spectacular Friday. He broke the school all-around record with a 55.95. That mark, which was held by Matt Eckardt, has stood for over 15 years.
"It is so big," Wilcox said. "Coach has been telling us stories about Eckardt for years. The record has been up there, so it is an honor to just get close to it, let alone beat it. I get a couple of extra tenths thanks to some inquiries. We have really been working hard. I am super excited for what is to come."
Wilcox did it by winning the floor with a 9.65, the pommel horse with a 9.10 and the parallel bars with a 9.40.
Hoffman's Alex Serwatkiewicz was second in the all-around with a 55.40. Serwatkiewicz won the vault with a 9.65 and tied Prospect's Joey Kall on the high bar with a 9.40.
"I am proud of myself and my teammates," Serwatkiewicz said. "It is a lot of pressure. We are setting ourselves up for next week. My plan is to try to win it and I am working hard to do that."
Buffalo Grove's Ben Valak was third in the all-around with a 55.10. Valak won the rings with a 9.45.
"This is a big improvement for me from last year," Valak said. "I feel like I have been moving up a lot. I definitely am trying to get cleaner and up skills."
Kall was fourth in the all-around with a 54.40, Hersey's Nate Mabry was fifth with a 53.10, Barrington's Henry Stevens was sixth with a 52.70, Palatine's Dominic Filichia seventh with a 51.95 and Prospect's Callahan Kraft was eighth with a 51.60.
Prospect, Hoffman and Palatine all used the meet as a tuneup for sectionals, which begin next week. Prospect is at Hinsdale Central on Monday, while Hoffman Estates will be at host Palatine on Wednesday.