THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | FRIDAY, MAY 2, 2008
Glenbrook South, Niles West Excel In Sectional
By BOBBY CHILVER
Journal Sports
In Thursday's gymnastics sectional, it was mostly Glenbrook South and host York dominating the competition while Niles West had its best meet of the season to advance individuals to next week's state championships.
Glenbrook South star Steve Deutsch proved why he is one of the top gymnasts in the state by winning the sectional's all-around competition and advancing to state in all six events.
Deutsch finished with a total score of 57.00, which included first place on the pommel horse (9.65), the vault (9.7) and high bar (9.35), second on the still rings (9.55) and parallel bars (9.4) and third in the floor exercise (9.35).
Also moving on for the Titans are freshman Adam Klosowiak on the floor (9.25) and Joe Giallombardo on the parallel bars (8.75) and high bar (8.2).
As a team the Titans fell short of York, scoring 155.60 behind the host's 162.50. The team did not earn an automatic berth to state but has a good shot at earning one of the at-large bids, which are given to the three teams with the highest score without winning their sectional.
Niles West finished third at York with a score of 136.15. Coach Steve Foerch said it was the team's highest output by about five points and exactly what they had been aiming for all year.
"We basically had a dream meet," Foerch said. "I couldn't have asked for much better from all 14 guys."
The Wolves' performance pushed three gymnastics through to state as Andy Foerch moved on in the floor exercise (9.25), Chris Deamont in the still rings (8.15) and Chris Noche on the vault (9.1) and parallel bars (8.65).
Foerch said the guys would like to earn top ten next weekend, but a positive sectional performance was their main goal.
The Wolves also received word recently of another honor as Noche, Andy Foerch and Jordan Stein were selected to the Illinois National Team. That team selects 22 senior gymnasts to represent Illinois in a national meet in Memphis May 15-17.
Filling out the sectional's top five were Niles North in fourth with 122.85 and Leyden in fifth with 122.65.
More individuals could advance once at-large bids are announced as the top 25 athletes who did not qualify automatically in each event get to move on. The same goes for all-arounders as the next 15 advance forward.
The state championship will take place next Friday and Saturday at Barrington High School.