Boys gymnastics: Mundelein repeats as Independent Conference champ
Libertyville gave rival Mundelein a serious challenge in the end, but the Mustangs were able to defend their Independent Conference boys gymnastics title Wednesday night at Glenbard East.
A late surge by the Wildcats put them within striking distance of Mundelein heading into the final two rotations. But despite a season-high score of 145.3 by Libertyville, the Mustangs came through when the chips were down to capture the championship for the second straight year with 149.7 points.
The host Rams also posted a season-high mark of 137.3 points to easily lock up third place while Stevenson placed fourth with 127.8 points. Glenbard South (120.1 points) edged Fenton (107.5) for fifth place.
The all-around competition turned out to be a real nail-biter, and in the end it was Glenbard East's Marc Le edging Stevenson senior Matt Krames 52.3 (8.72 average) to 51.9 (8.65 average) for the overall crown.
Wednesday night's performance could be a sign of good things to come for Mundelein next week, as the Mustangs will head south this year to compete in the Hinsdale Central sectional a week from Saturday.
Mundelein's strong team effort was led by the all-around trio of Greg Godellas (50.7) in third, Tyler Collins (50.2) in fourth, and Yianni Wiechering (48.5) in sixth.
"We were solid - we've been waiting for Yianni to have an excellent meet like this, and Greg was rock-solid as well," said Mundelein coach Jesse Piland, whose team scored 26 points on both floor exercise and vault. "Tyler struggled a little bit, but overall he is still our leader, and it was a complete team effort."
Libertyville's performance marked the second straight meet that the Wildcats have recorded a season-high score after they beat Stevenson with a season-high 143.6 on Monday night.
Senior A.J. Jacob proved to be the driving force behind Libertyville's success with a fifth-place finish in the all-around. Jacob (49.1 points) and the Wildcats also got great support from all-around teammates Pat Tanski (seventh), and Matt Newberger (eighth). Glenbard East's Sean O'Hara placed ninth overall.
"Individually there was some good stuff, but we didn't click as a unit," said Libertyville coach Josh Cimo, whose team also scored 26 points on vault. "It's a good feeling to score season-highs in two meets in a row, and I'm hoping they peak at sectionals."
Le's performance featured first-place scores of 9.3 on floor, 9.3 on parallel bars, and 8.8 on still rings.
"Marc (Le) fell on pommel horse so that was a big deduction, but everywhere else he performed well," said Glenbard East coach Bruce Beiersdorf. "They looked good, we've got a week before sectionals (at Glenbard West) so we can still increase our difficulty before then."
The Iowa-bound Krames tied for first place with Le (9.0) on vault while placing second on parallel bars (9.0), and high bar (8.6).
"I was a little bit shaky on my floor exercise routine, but I finally landed my vault again," said Krames, who is the defending state champ on floor. "So overall I think I did well, and I'm very excited for the sectional meet (at Palatine)."
Godellas continued to show why he is one of the top pommel horse specialists in the state, winning with a score of 9.3, and Collins (8.7) took home first place on high bar. Wiechering (8.3) placed second on pommel horse while Krames and Libertyville's Jake Reichert (9.1) tied for second on floor.
Godellas also placed second on still rings with an 8.6 while Reichert (8.9) placed third on vault.Tanski and Wiechering (8.6) tied for third on parallel bars. Jacob and Newberger (8.2) tied for third on high bar.
"We're staying consistent, and I was especially proud of the guys who it was their last meet tonight," said Stevenson coach Joe Rogalski. "I think Matt (Krames) had a pretty decent meet, it wasn't exceptional, but he hit his sets."
Glenbard South senior Stephen Bean was once again limited to five events due to a shoulder injury, but he should be ready to add some new skills at the Glenbard West sectional.
"He (Bean) had a good meet, and he threw a high dismount on high bar tonight," said Glenbard South coach Lee Wood, whose team got an 8.6 from Charlie Barrett on floor. "We're going to debut his (Bean's) double-back in sectionals on high bar next week."
Collins (8.2) placed third on pommel horse followed by Le (8.0) in fourth, and Fenton senior Ricardo Torres (7.9) in fifth.