Neuqua Valley’s Eric Mitchell did not feel right during Friday night’s all-around competition in the boys gymnastics state finals.
A heel injury plagued him, so the sophomore decided it was in his best interest to call it a day and save his effort for Saturday’s individual event finals.
That decision helped him earn a state title.
Mitchell won the pommel horse championship Saturday with a 9.2, edging the 9.1 from Hinsdale Central’s Ryan Leahy.
He became just the second Neuqua gymnast to win a state title. Wes Diveney won still rings in 2015.
“My left foot was really bothering me, so it was best to quit then,” he said. “I probably could have kept on going, but it wasn’t recommended. I talked to my coach and he said that it wasn’t best and I could still come back on (Saturday).”
The rigors of gymnastics will test the body plenty, and Mitchell felt like he had never been tested more with the quick turnaround and the heel issue.
“I know myself and my body but it was really rough,” he said. “But you know the opportunity is there and I didn’t want to miss it. I was able to respond the best way I could.”
Wheaton co-op coach Greg Gebhardt knows how difficult the pommel horse event can be. Gebhardt also won the individual title in 1992 so he understood the challenges Mitchell faced.
“It’s one those events you have to continue to work at and like anything it’s nerve-wracking,” he said. “It’s funny because some guys love it and others do whatever they can to just get through it.”
Mitchell loves it, which he showed in Hinsdale.
“To get this far and to win a state title like this, I don’t think it’s soaked in yet,” Mitchell said. “I fell short of where I wanted to get in nationals with my club, but to be able to get back here and do this well means a lot. This is great.”
Mitchell also didn’t feel rushed for success knowing, he still could potentially compete the next two seasons. As the pressure mounted, he felt it was the right time to get it done.
“You feel it because you want to do your best and there are so many juniors and seniors here and you never know what happens next year,” he said. “It was so cool to step in and do so well so I’m proud of myself for that.”
C.R. Walker is a freelance writer for the Naperville Sun.