Stevenson rallies on pommel horse to earn sectional crown

Most won’t even debate whether or not pommel horse in the most difficult event in boys gymnastics.

It’s a one-side argument.

Stevenson found itself closing Thursday’s Stevenson sectional on pommel horse and trailing Glenbrook North by 23.6 points.

Christian Courtney and Jacob Guth each posted an 8.2 and sophomore Arie Feltman-Frank finished with an 8.9 as the Patriots scored a season-best 25.1 to beat Glenbrook North for the sectional title, 149.3-147.8.

“We’ve been scoring 20.5 on horse all year,” Stevenson coach Eric Liva said. “Every time we start on horse at meets we bomb. I thought tonight that maybe it was a good thing we finished on it. They just absolutely had their best routines.”

The Patriots didn’t have a single individual event champion, but Feltman-Frank and Guth finished with a 50.85 and 50.2 respectively in the all-around to lead the way.

Glenbrook North’s Nate Elfant won the all-around title with a 53.1. He also claimed the still rings title with a 9.05 and vault with a 9.3.

“This wasn’t expected so I’m very excited to win the all-around,” Elfant said. “I wasn’t sure how everything was going to turn out, but I was happy with that victory.”

He remains hopeful that the team can secure an at-large qualifier once all the sectionals are completed.

“I think it’s going to be real close so we just have to wait,” he said. “It’s out of our control now.”

Glenbrook South’s Austin Zimmer finished third in the all-around with a 52.6, and won floor with 9.45, parallel bars with a 9.25 and high bar with a 9.2.

“I made state last year on high bar and then kind of screwed it up completely,” Zimmer said. “To nail it like that is something I don’t get to do so often, so I’m very happy.”

Niles West freshman Nomondalai Jamiyankhuu took second in the all-around with a 52.65 and won pommel horse with a 9.35.

“I’ve been practicing a lot on this pommel routine,” he said. “I added this very tough skill that pushes my requirement and it went well.”