Expectations high at St. Charles N.

Identical twins on the St. Charles North boys gymnastics team will attempt to replicate what the St. Charles co-op girls team did in the winter -- qualify the team for the state tournament.

Sean and Ryan Johnston, a pair of sophomores, along with senior Bryan Beth, advanced to state last spring but competed only as individuals due to a miscommunication. The three gymnasts competed in five meets last year and according to by-law 3.054 of the IHSA boys gymnastics terms and conditions, in order to compete in the state tournament series a team must participate in at least six meets.

That won't be a problem this year for the North Stars as coach Tom Wirth has scheduled six contests and is excited about the team's chances to be among the elite in the state. What happens in the gym will be what determines if the North Stars travel to Barrington in early May.

"We're definitely looking at qualifying for state as a team. It's a very attainable goal for us," Wirth said. "Once we're there we're looking to take a trophy home. We're capable of being an upper 150 team, maybe 160."

The North Stars have already gotten off to a nice start, opening their season with a 152.10 in a quadrangular at Fremd.

Slim might not be a strong enough word to describe the room for error the North Stars have when competing. Raw scores are determined by adding the three top scores in all six events. With only three gymnasts, St. Charles North has to count each and every score in all of its meets.

"That's the only downside of the team aspect," Wirth said. "But I don't see a reason, barring injury, that we shouldn't qualify as a team at the end of the season."

"With only three of us we know we have to depend on each other," Ryan Johnston said. "Other teams have people who specialize in events so we just have to work harder and do better on all of our events."

The biggest difference this year is in the development of the gymnasts, especially in dedicating themselves into improving their weaknesses.

"They have confidence that's much higher this year," Wirth said. "Last year Sean was very good in practice and then tried too hard in competition. Now he's learned to not pay attention to the crowd and things around him and he's realizing that when he relaxes he does much better."

"Ryan was weak on high bar and (pommel) horse and I don't think he's missed high bar in club all season. On horse, his level went up a full point from last year."

Wirth is hoping that the brothers can finish in the Top 10 in the all-around this season.

"We feel confident this year and last year we were throwing tricks and messing up but this year we know we can hit the stuff we do," Ryan Johnston said. "We want to go out and make it to state as a team and to be in the Top 10 or better in all the events."

Beth switched from Energym to the St. Charles Gymnastics Academy at the end of last season. The senior didn't compete in club gymnastics this season but has focused on his weak areas and made improvements.

"He knows this is his last opportunity to get to state as a team," Wirth said. "He's come a long way on floor and high bar. Individually on his favorite events -- horse, rings and vault -- as long as he hits he should be among the finalists."

Kosog seeks return trip:ŒGeneva senior Kai Kosog, who also trains at the St. Charles Gymnastics Club and is coached by Wirth, is back for a final season. Last spring, Kosog finished 13th in the state in the all-around when he posted a technically short-lived career-best 52.3.

"His goal was to make the finals last year and he did that on vault and just missed on a few others," Wirth said. "So this year he's hoping to make it on as many as he can and also finish in the Top 10 in all-around."

Like the Johnston brothers, who Kosog has known for close to 10 years, working on susceptibilities was key to off-season training.

"His weakest event last year was rings and he was short one of the requirements in strength and he's fulfilled that and added a new dismount," Wirth said. "That's one of the major things he's accomplished along with picking up other things as much as he could."

Kosog already scored a 52.75 in the all-around in the first meet this year and is hoping for a season he won't forget.

"It's my senior year and I'm pumped up for that," Kosog said. "I feel more confident, more composed and ready to be more consistent."

Anything less than a Top 10 finish in the state in all-around would be a disappointment for the Viking senior.

"I worked new tricks in the summer, got stronger on rings and with my dismount, added a few new connection bonuses on high bar and a new trick on horse," he said. "I think I'll definitely place Top 10 this year, hopefully in the Top 5."

Waiting a year:ŒThere are two other area gymnasts who hope to make names for themselves.

Unfortunately, both will have to wait a year to do so.

West Aurora freshman Alec Sander will compete this season but at the sophomore level. Batavia freshman David Voland was working toward compete as an individual Bulldog but a stress fracture in his elbow ended such hopes.

"There's a big group of younger kids out there so we may eventually see full blown teams at some schools," Wirth said.

But for now, well at least this year, let's sit back and see what the three-man team from St. Charles North and the lone Viking can do.