David MacDonald wasn’t around for the awards presentation during Saturday’s Dave Donaldson Invitational at Wheaton Warrenville South.
The Wheaton Warrenville Co-op senior left early due to an injury.
His early exit didn’t make any difference in the results as Wheaton Co-op rolled to victory with 159.35 points. Glenbard West was the distant runner-up with a 149.075 while Lyons was third with a 148.6.
“There was plenty to be happy with tonight,” Wheaton Warrenville co-op coach Greg Genhardt said. “It was a busy night with a lot things going on.”
MacDonald won four events, dominating the competition with a 9.5 on pommel horse, 9.6 on vault, 9.65 on still rings and 9.75 on parallel bars.
Since the Hilltoppers and the rest of the competition were at least ten points away from the title, the winners were able to dip deep into their roster and cruise to victory.
Six different gymnasts contributed a counting score for the winners, along with MacDonald’s 55.6 in the all-around and a 53.85 from senior Ethan Sansone.
Qarin Johnnic had a an 8.3 on floor, Alex Modransky scored an 8.3 on pommel horse, Connor Ritchie had an 8.1 on still rings, Ben Szot an 8.75 on vault and Ben Marston an 8.6 on parallel bars.
“We’re trying to put everything together as a team and not being complacent,” Marston said. “It’s an honor to be playing with these guys and we’re going to do whatever we can to extend this trip.”
The so-called unheralded guys are battling for Wheaton.
“We’re working hard as a team everyday in the gym,” senior Austin Peabody said. “We’ve just bee trying to get better every time out and are looking forward to doing better the next time.”
Chris Rediehs won the floor exercise for Lyons with a 9.25 and finished third in the all-around with a 51.4.
“It was an ok meet for me,” Rediehs said. “We could’ve done better but this isn’t state or sectionals so there’s not too much too worry about.”
Whether or not MacDonald’s injury will play a factor in Wheaton Warrenville Co-op’s bid for a third consecutive state title is unknown. The DuPage Valley Conference meet is scheduled for next Friday in Carol Stream and sectional play won’t be until early May.
MacDonald sustained his injury on high bar where he still finished second with an 8.250.
