DuPage teams await next sectional, advancement

The waiting will be the hardest part.

Unfortunately for Glenbard West, Wheaton co-op and Addison Trail, waiting to see what happens in the next boys gymnastics sectionals, which conclude late Saturday evening at Lake Park, will determine if either of those three schools can capture an at-large team bid to compete in the state finals.

That's because the three-man team of Ryan Johnston, Sean Johnston and Bryan Beth from St. Charles North took control of Wednesday's Wheaton North sectional, winning by more than 5 points over runner-up Glenbard West 157.95-152.4.

The Hilltoppers ended their day with a total of 152.4 but Wheaton co-op (152) and Addison Trail (151.050) are looming in the distance, as well, for at-large berths.

"We'll just have to wait and see," Glenbard West coach Steve Kafka said. "I'm very proud of the boys. They put their heart and soul into today."

Kafka, who is retiring after this year, is also coaching a team led by 10 seniors.

Alex Pajor finished third on still rings and fifth on parallel bars, Greg Mladucky was fourth on pommel horse and Ryan Webster took fifth in floor exercise to pace the Hilltoppers.

Wheaton co-op's Tim Krueger won floor exercise and parallel bars, but his individual contributions just weren't enough for the hosts.

"We did a nice job all meet, but then lightning struck on still rings," Wheaton co-op coach Chad Downie said. "Now we're in a waiting game."

Addison Trail's Nick Ostapa and Calvin Cheney both advance in individual events, but coach Mike Galfi is hoping the team can somehow sneak into the state finals.

"There's still a possibility, so we'll see," Galfi said. "We went all the way down to 117 (this season) and to make this progress with all the injuries, it shows the effort and dedication these guys put in. Regardless of what happens in the end this has been a great season."

Late-season injuries seemingly got the best of Glenbard North, which closed its team season with a fifth-place finish.

"We were hoping for a lot more than this and we knew if we didn't break 150 we'd be out," coach Esdel Clark said. "We did have some great individual performances, but it just wasn't meant to be for the team this year."

Naperville Central senior Keith Lage took the biggest top honors as an individual. He won pommel horse, high bars and still rings en route to calculating the highest all-around score of the evening.