Boys gymnastics / Scouting Lake County

Libertyville

Coach: Josh Cimo (eighth season)

Last season: second in sectionals, second in Independent Conference

Key losses: Pat Tanski (state qualifier on three events)

Returning gymnasts: seniors Max Faber (19th in state all-around), Tyler Kukla (five events), Matt Neuberger (four events); sophomore Robert Cartwright (all-around)

Newcomers: senior Matthew Richardson (all-around); freshman Grady Georgia (all-around)

Outlook: With a second-place finish at sectionals, the Wildcats came close to soaring into the state meet as an at-large qualifier last season. But with the addition of first-year high school gymnast Matthew Richardson joining the Libertyville program for his senior season, the Wildcats already look like a potential lock to make it to the Elite Eight meet this May barring any major injuries. "He came in with a lot of experience," coach Josh Cimo said of Richardson. "He was a Level 10 gymnast in club gymnastics, and he had a shoulder injury last year. "He's going to make a huge difference on the team putting up the third score that we needed (last year)." The Wildcats' depth should be outstanding with Max Faber, Tyler Kukla and now Richardson carrying the brunt of the scoring load as the potentially historic season unfolds for Libertyville. Grady Georgia is another key newcomer who has a long career ahead of him to make a big impact for the Wildcats down the road. "He is a higher-level freshman, and he's a great guy to have," Cimo said. "Matthew, Max, and Tyler are my top three guys, they're great friends, they push each other in the gym, and they motivate each other. If we stay healthy, I think we have the capability of making state. That is our goal."

Mundelein

Coach: Jesse Piland (11th season)

Last season: fifth in state, first in sectionals, first in Independent Conference

Key losses: Kurt Lawrence (sixth in state all-around, state finals on four events), Tyler Collins (20th in state all-around), Carson Bernett, Angel Davis

Returning gymnasts: senior Will Ferro (all-around)

Newcomers: juniors Chris Mora (all-around), Flavio Diaz (all-around), Axel Ramos (all-around)

Outlook: After putting together an outstanding 2018 season that culminated with a fifth-place finish in their 22nd state meet appearance in school history, the Mustangs will be looking to some new faces in their lineup to get the job done in 2019. The loss of all-rounders in Kurt Lawrence and Tyler Collins to graduation will create a huge void in Mundelein's lineup that will be next to impossible to replace as the Mustangs' young squad starts the rebuilding process under the leadership of coach Jesse Piland. "Our numbers in participation across the board have been weak so we knew this day was coming," said Piland, who has only 11 members in the program this season. "Now we need to convince the next wave of freshmen to join as well so we can have consistent numbers." Will Ferro was a part of last season's state-meet team, but we was injured in the off-season so he is still not at 100-percent strength as the new campaign begins. "Everybody is going to improve individually day by day," Piland said. "We have zero experience in the sport so we're going to start from the ground up."

Stevenson

Coach: Joe Rogalski (fourth season)

Last season: eighth in sectionals, fifth in Independent Conference

Key losses: Danny Less (all-around)

Returning gymnasts: seniors Aaron Rudloff (all-around), Ben Rudloff (all-around), Jack Motta (three events); juniors Mark Lozovnoy (five events), Anthony Lang (floor exercise, vault), Isaac Bloom (still rings, high bar); sophomores Daksh Guard (all-around), Jaden Pazol (all-around)

Newcomers: freshmen Jack White (all-around), Tyler Ehlen (all-around), Mauricio Ibarra (all-around)

Outlook: The Patriots lost Danny Less to graduation but are hoping to rebound in 2019 behind senior co-captains Aaron and Ben Rudloff along with a large influx of new gymnasts helping to lead the way. Coach Joe Rogalski knows Libertyville will be the team to beat this spring in the Independent Conference and sectionals. But he is still optimistic that his team can show significant improvement as the season progresses. "Libertyville has the top score in the state so far (151.7) and they look pretty stacked," said Rogalski, whose team is 1-1 in the early stages of the season. "I was really impressed how well we came out in the first meet. The new guys really stepped up and performed." Stevenson will already have a huge test when it competes at the powerful Hinsdale Central Invitational Friday night. Another very big challenge on the Patriots' schedule will be the Bob Bohl Invite April 5 at Mundelein.