Senior Will Taylor’s memorable start with the Lyons Township High School boys gymnastics team coincided with the program’s greatest moment. In 2021, Taylor was part of their only state championship team. He shared the success with older brother and then-senior Ben.
“He definitely had a big influence on me, especially that year,” Taylor said. “Having my brother kind of induct me was a good thing because he really valued this team. I have a lot of memories from freshman year because that was so special to me. That’s when I got introduced to all of our traditions.”
Taylor and Matt Adler, senior all-arounders, are hoping to contribute to another memorable state meet on May 11 at Hoffman Estates High School. The Lions should easily qualify via the LTHS Sectional at 6 p.m., Thursday in Western Springs. Then comes contending for a fourth consecutive top-three state trophy in what would be a seventh straight state appearance after taking second in 2023 (156.20 points) and third in 2022.
“I didn’t know how much that [2021 championship] meant until my sophomore year, when I saw how much it mattered to the whole team,” Adler said. “I didn’t really get it my freshman year. Now I see how big a deal that was.”
The magnitude hasn’t changed, either, even though this is the first year the sport is not sanctioned by the IHSA and conducted by the Illinois Gymnastics Coaches Association as a club sport.
Top-seeded Wheaton co-op (season-high 159.10) is the prohibitive title favorite. The Lions (season-high 153.55, March 16) have been the No. 2 seed throughout the season but Stevenson (152.60), Naperville North (152.50), Evanston and Glenbard West also have scored in the 150s.
On April 25, the Lions again won the West Suburban Conference Silver Division Meet at LTHS (150.95) and the overall title. Adler won all-around (54.70), pommel horse (9.45), floor exercise (9.4), still rings (9.3) and high bar (9.2).
Taylor, seniors Nick Peterson and Ryan Evans and sophomore Ryan Renderman had top-five finishes. Also competing were juniors Devon Mackenzie and Drake Levreau and sophomore TJ Carr from last year’s state lineup and freshman Luca Depa.
“We’re going to be in the fight for [a state trophy]. We’re going to be a little more on the outside looking in, but we should be right there,” LTHS coach Sam Zeman said.
Adler probably will not compete at state because of a scheduling conflict with his USA Gymnastics club nationals in Daytona Beach, Florida. His session is at 5 p.m. May 10, the evening before state.
Last season, Adler was the only gymnast in the state to return from USAG nationals to compete at the IHSA state championships.
“It would be very challenging this year,” Adler said. “We’ve looked into it a lot. It doesn’t look like it’s possible.”
The lineup should get a boost from the return of freshman all-arounder Chris Yeates. Although continuing to practice with the team, Adler also won’t compete at sectionals so the Lions can better evaluate their possible state lineup.
“We’re heading in a good direction. We’re hitting our sets, but without Matt we just won’t have the depth that we would have,” Zeman said.
Under this year’s new postseason format, state qualifiers will come from combined results of all four sectionals — the highest-scoring 10 teams, 30 all-arounders and 50 individuals per event.
Just like last year, state is at Hoffman Estates. Team trophies and individual medals, perhaps even better, also will be different. Otherwise, little has changed.
“With this sport, everyone who is involved is so involved that it doesn’t matter what governing body we’re under. It’s pretty much the same people,” Taylor said.
“I honestly didn’t notice much of a difference,” Adler said. “There were [fewer teams this season] at the first few meets, but it’s been the same. The same judges. We practice the same. No one’s really thinking anything of it.”