LYONS STATE NOTEBOOK: Chris Rediehs’ departure from Lyons will leave big hole

HINSDALE — Lyons claimed its second state trophy in boys gymnastics Friday night, but the future success of the team became harder to predict after top gymnast Chris Rediehs announced Saturday that he would not return next season.

Rediehs, a junior from Western Springs, said he will compete full-time for the Aerial Gymnastics Club next season and will bypass the high school season. He announced his decision after winning two medals in the state individual meet Saturday night at Hinsdale Central.

“I knew my junior year was going to be my last year for a while. This is something I need to do to make it to college [gymnastics],” Rediehs said. “I see this as the end of my high school meets, but it’s not the end. I could possibly have five years ahead of me in gymnastics.”

Rediehs wrapped up his high school career with seven top-six state finishes the last two years, which ranks second among Lyons gymnasts behind Jason Enke’s 14 state medals. On Friday, Rediehs finished third in the all-around (53.45) and became the highest all-around place finisher for Lyons since Enke took second in 2003 and 2004.

On Saturday, Rediehs took fifth on parallel bars (9.0) and vault (9.3) and tied for sixth on floor exercise (9.1).

Janicki not sure about coming back

Lyons freshman Alex Janicki said he will take some time before deciding if he will return for next year’s high school season. In the offseason, Janicki competes for the Premier Gymnastics Academy.

“It’s a hard decision,” Janicki said. “It’s cool and fun to be named [recognized] around the high school no matter what sport you do. With club, there is more travel and you get to see other places.”

Seniors proud of their accomplishments

The rest of Lyons’ state team were seniors and saw the final meet of their careers. Jackson McCoy, David Bielski, Will Gallucci and Xavier Barry all competed in the state preliminaries, while Noah Mennemeier advanced to the individual finals and placed 10th on the pommel horse (8.1).

“I thought this was awesome. My senior year, placing for the second time for LT ever in the state. That will go down in school history,” Mennemeier said. “The team had a lot of fun with pizza parties and team bonding. [I will miss] all of that fun stuff. It was a cool ride.”

Lions’ program is on the rise

Coach Kenn Su has rebuilt the Lyons gymnastics program over the last four years.

Lyons scored 152.65 at the state meet to come in third and equal the team’s best finish, from 2002.

Lyons claimed its first West Suburban Silver championship May 2 since 2003. Over the past 10 years, state powers Hinsdale Central and Glenbard West have dominated the conference.

“[This year] is a testament to their desire to be good, their determination, hard work and dedication ,” Su said. “We spent a lot of time in the gym.”