It was well worth the trip

Both Downers Grove gymnastics programs should benefit greatly from the experiences both took away from the May 14 to 15 state meet at Lincoln-Way East in Frankfort.

There, Downers Grove North tied its best-ever state finish with the 1996 Trojans team that Al Bekkedal also coached. With their finish this spring, the Trojans also moved up a spot in the final standings from last year, when they took fifth.

Downers Grove North's Joe Barton does an Iron Cross during his rings routine at state.
(Jon Cunningham/For Sun-Times Media)

Downers Grove South's Ryan Kujawa performs his routine on the high bar during state competition.
(Jon Cunningham/For Sun-Times Media)
 

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Stevenson 162.450
2. Lincoln-Way East Co-op 158.450
3. Conant 154.500
4. Downers Grove North 153.400
5. Hinsdale Central 150.000
6. Glenbard North 149.050
7. Highland Park Co-op 147.550
8. Wheaton Co-op 146.650

MORE PHOTOS

For a photo gallery from the state boys gymnastics meet, visit thedowners grovesun.com .

Downers North scored a 153.4 this time.

"I think we had a good meet," Bekkedal said. "Finishing fourth this year after getting fifth last year was a nice improvement and we were very happy to tie for the best finish we've had in state (in team history)."

Downers South did not make it as a team but did send freshman Ryan Kujawa and senior Mike Sparapany to Frankfort. Sparapany qualified for the still rings finals competition May 15.

Then, after scoring an eighth place-tying 8.95 that morning in the preliminaries, Sparapany turned in an 8.5 effort in the finals.

"He did really well in the prelims but unfortunately he ran out of gas in the finals," South coach Mike Stauffer said. "Mike did a great job and to finish in the top 10 at the state meet is a great accomplishment."

Sparapany's showing at state was even more impressive when put into its proper context. He finished 34th in state a year ago on rings with an 8.05. Thus, he made finals for the first time as a senior.

Kujawa left Stauffer with fond memories in his final meet as a high school coach. Stauffer is retiring after a 34-year career.

"He made it in four events and had personal highs on three of the four events," the veteran coach said. "On floor (exercise), he had a 9.25 at state and his high is 9.35. He was close to making finals. Next year, he'll be even better because he knows what to expect."

Kujawa earned scores of 8.9 on parallel bars, 8.5 on pommel horse and 7.6 on the horizontal bar.

His top preliminary ranking was 14th on pommel horse and Kujawa also took 16th on floor.

North sophomore Luke Wychocki turned in team-best prelims marks on floor (9.3), pommel horse (8.3), parallel bars (8.1) and high bar (8.85), in which he tied teammate John Schubert for 11th place overall. Wychocki also tied for 18th in the all-around, scoring 50.8.

Trojans senior Joe Barton's 8.15 rings performance placed him 29th in prelims and freshman John Schubert threw an 8.75 vault for 35th, tops on his team.

The other two seniors graduating this year for the Trojans are Jake Thygesen and Sean Drobney.

The Trojans competed in the team competition May 14 but fate struck junior Luke Schubert in preliminary warm-ups the morning of May 15. He was set to compete in the all-around as an individual.

Bekkedal recalled the incident that caused his injuries:

"He was doing a whip-back on floor and the way he landed, he rolled both ankles pretty severely."

Schubert was scratched from prelims participation but luckily returns next year for one last appearance on the big stage.

"We should be pretty competitive again next year," Bekkedal said. "The nucleus of our team is back."

North loses three seniors, including Barton.

South's Stauffer will retire after 31 years at the Mustangs' helm and one year as an assistant. He also coached physical education and will retire as a teacher.

Coaching gymnastics has made a lasting impression on Stauffer.

"It's been great," he said. "I have been very fortunate to have had so many great kids to work with over the years. It's really amazing, the kids that we've had. They're good kids, good students and hard workers."