Boys Gymnastics: Lincoln-Way co-op wins Hinsdale South Invitational
By Logan Malloy For Sun-Times Media April 9, 2012 10:52PM
Updated: May 11, 2012 8:16AM
The collection of talent at the nine-team Hinsdale South Invitational was evident. Monday’s meet boasted three of last season’s five sectional winners, including reigning state champion Lincoln-Way co-op and third-place medalist Downers Grove North.
“This is an interesting meet because the format is different,” Lincoln-Way coach Skip Adamson said. “You can only compete in three events, so it takes out some of your best and distributes them throughout the meet. It has its benefits and its distractions.”
Lincoln-Way avoided the diversions to win Monday’s event with 144 points. Downers Grove North was second with 140.7 and Lyons finished third at 124.650. The Andrew District-230 co-op finished eighth with 89.05.
Tied with Downers Grove North after the first four apparatuses, Lincoln-Way stole the lead with performances on the pommel horse and still rings.
It helped when Ajani Cargle, the top gymnast in Illinois, participated in both events. Cargle garnered the highest score of the night on still rings at 9.7, a full point ahead of the next highest on the apparatus, Downers Grove North’s Luke Wychocki. Cargle finished third on the pommel horse with an 8.7.
Victor Valencia continues to be a steady force for Lincoln-Way. Valencia was first in vault (9.0), second on floor (9.4) and third on parallel bars (7.6). Lincoln-Way’s Brandon Oboikovitz (8.0) was second on bars.
Oboikovitz wasn’t a one-trick pony, finishing fourth on the pommel horse (8.2) and seventh on still rings (7.2). Add in Zack Beecher’s sixth-place finish on the rings (8.2) and Lincoln-Way had three top-seven finishes out of 27 competitors.
“It’s good for our confidence to be getting these wins under our belt,” Valencia said. “We have a lot of top competition coming up, but our team is looking really good right now.”
