Libertyville’s boys gymnastics team posted its third-best score of the season at the Stevenson Sectional on May 7, but there will be no state meet for the Wildcats this year.
The Wildcats scored 136.25 to finish sixth at Stevenson, falling short of a second consecutive trip to state. Junior Adrian Metcalf qualified for the state meet — which starts Friday, May 15, at Hinsdale Central — as an individual in the rings, high bar and parallel bars.
In 2014, the Wildcats won the Mundelein Sectional and earned an automatic berth in the state meet, where they finished seventh.
“We were hoping for a second berth to state, but fell a little short,” Libertyville coach Josh Cimo said. “They showed a lot of growth and development, just not enough.”
The Wildcats showed that growth their final two meets of the season. On April 24 at the John Cress Invitational at Niles North, Libertyville posted at score of 136.50, which was then a season high. On April 29, at the Independents Conference Meet at Mundelein, the Wildcats bested that number with a 140.75.
Even with no team state appearance, there were many high spots in 2015.
“This year we didn’t have as many talented guys,” Metcalf said. “But we pushed ourselves a lot. We got louder and more energetic.”
As he did in 2014, Metcalf made the state cut in the rings and parallel bars, earning at-large berths with an 8.40 in the rings and 8.35 on the parallel bars.
“[Metcalf] has great form,” Cimo said. “He knows when to hit and he can hit at any moment. He knows how to execute his skill and he’s easy to coach.”
The rings are physically challenging and require focus. A gymnast must find a healthy balance between patience and aggressiveness.
That tension is what attracts Metcalf to the event.
“It’s the hardest thing,” Metcalf said. “You don’t always know exactly where you are. But it’s not scary. I feel like I’m always in control.”
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At Stevenson, Metcalf stuck his landing and placed sixth in the still rings, one spot out of the top five that automatically qualify for state. His parallel bars routine placed 10th.
Metcalf remembers the atmosphere inside the Hinsdale Central gym in 2014. He was one member in a large Wildcats group competing in the state meet, led by the now-graduated Alex Pong.
“There was more of a crowd,” Metcalf said. “It was louder, more energetic. I felt like, what I was doing, it meant more.”
He said he has no personal expectations for the meet. Libertyville will also send seniors Ryan Flores (pommel horse) and Max Smith (still rings) to state.
The Wildcats improved throughout the year, something Metcalf could continue with a strong state showing.
“We were progressing and it shows,” Metcalf said. “We really improved throughout the year.”
Kerr is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter: @prepspioneer