Senior TJ Carr and his Lyons Township boys gymnastics teammates received a fortunate second chance last season. After initially not qualifying for the 10-team Illinois High School Gymnastics Coaches Association state meet. The Lions are determined to create their own luck this season with hard work – and teamwork.
“We didn’t really have the best team aspect wanting to get better. This year it’s a complete 180,” Carr said. “Every single day it’s about the team. Everybody wants to do better for the team. That kind of cohesion, seeing that coalesce into maybe a state berth, if we grow tighter as a team, that’s a successful season for me.”
The Lions finished ninth at the 2025 state meet (131.05 points). They had the 11th-highest sectional score (130.75) but were then added to the state field after qualifier Geneva withdrew because of no regular-season participation. Carr, senior Jack Michaelson, sophomore Evan Ries and junior Ignacio Rodriguez return from the state lineup. Other contributors this season include freshmen Patrick Radditz and Dante Rodriguez, who is not related to Ignacio.
Being their best by sectionals will be a gradual process for the Lions, mostly because of varsity inexperience and injuries currently to Ignacio Rodriguez and Raddatz. They opened Friday with 89.20 at Hinsdale Central’s Wanner Invitational.
“We are working basic routines in March while preparing for more competitive routines in April in order to make the big push for state in May,” LTHS coach Sam Zeman said. “We have a group of guys that believe in team. I am proud of the way they are coming together and understand the more they work together and commit to each other, the more each one of them can benefit in the long run.”
Carr and Michaelson are fourth-year team members. All Lions are all-arounders except Michaelson (vault and floor exercise) and Ignacio Rodriguez (floor, still rings and vault). At 2025 state, Carr was 17th on pommel horse (8.1) and still rings (7.9) and 19th in all-around (46.05) and Michaelson also was an individual qualifier. Ries and Ignacio Rodriguez competed for the team only.
“We (also) have a lot of new freshmen. They’re very motivated in learning new skills and to push themselves,” Michaelson said. “This team, compared to last year, is a lot more motivated and willing to push each other further to be better. Seeing that pay off, especially for me and TJ as seniors, would be great to see.”
On Friday, Carr was second on rings (8.0) and horizontal bar (7.0), third on horse (7.3) and fifth on vault (7.0) in taking fourth in all-around (43.80). Michaelson was sixth on floor (8.1). Michaelson said he will gradually improve after a limited off-season. Carr, who just qualified for state swimming, is working his way back from a two-month shoulder injury.
“We’re gradually getting better. I’m in the same boat,” Carr said. “I’m going to get better as they’re going to get better. That’s a big motivation helper.”
