High school boys gymnastics: Downers Grove South's Beau, Brock Herion book state berths

WESTERN SPRINGS – Downers Grove South senior Brock Herion first qualified for the boys gymnastics state meet in 2014 – the only year the Mustangs have qualified as a team.

His fourth and final trip also will be memorable.

At the individual state meet, Herion will be competing for the last time with Beau Herion, his freshman brother.

“It’s pretty motivating, actually,” Brock said. “We’re brothers so we kind of push each other to do a little bit better. We’re always trying to beat the other.”

At the Lyons Township sectional May 3, Beau (53.45) and Brock (52.00) finished 1-2 in all-around and advanced to state in all six events.

Beau tied for first on vault (9.1) and parallel bars (9.1). Beau (8.7) and Brock (8.45) finished 2-3 on pommel horse, Beau tied for second on floor (9.45) and tied for fourth on still rings (8.85), and Brock tied for fourth on parallel bars (8.75).

The Mustangs also wanted to advance to the eight-team state meet, especially after scoring a school-record 155.90 April 6. Their third-place 149.20 missed the at-large cut by 2.05 points.

“We were kind of bummed. Being as close as it was, it gives me motivation and I think [Beau], too,” Brock said. “It’s just us now. We’re going to go and represent what Downers Grove South has to offer.”

Beau convinced his parents that trying high school gymnastics would not hinder his Premier Gymnastics Club training. His 55.70 score April 18 set an all-around school record.

“It was tough the first couple of weeks because it was a big jump and schedule change for me,” Beau said. “It’s fun. It’s a huge difference. In club, there’s cheering, but it’s really kind of quiet and tame. Here everybody’s rowdy and it’s a fun experience.”

Downers Grove North

HINSDALE – Senior Ben Goedert joined the Downers Grove North boys gymnastics program as a freshman with no experience.

“I just really liked [pommel horse] to begin with,” Goedert said. “Also I had really long arms so the coaches said I could be really good at it.”

Four seasons of horse work paid off with his first individual state berth. Goedert’s 7.8 at the Hinsdale Central sectional May 6 put him among four Trojans who advanced to the individual state meet.

Freshman all-arounder Aaron Heppner was fifth on high bar (7.6), and sophomore Mikael Dukes tied for fifth on vault (9.25) to lead the Trojans (142.25).

Heppner also advanced on parallel bars (8.2) and horse (8.0), and senior Mike Kudelka’s 7.8 on horse earned his third consecutive state berth. Heppner (7.7 on still rings) and Dukes (8.85 on floor) missed at-large state cuts by .05 points.

Heppner trained with Premier Gymnastics Academy for about five years but stopped after sixth grade. He joined the Trojans to have fun.

“It feels pretty nice to make it to state freshman year,” Heppner said. “I couldn’t get all of my skills right away. Some I never could get back but some came naturally. I think [the season has] turned out pretty well considering a lot of people are very experienced and I’m coming in new.”

At last year’s sectional, Dukes scored 8.4 on vault. Goedert scored 6.9 on pommel horse in 2016. This season, Goedert competed only on horse and added two new skills. Downers North coach Tony Ciezadlo said he thought Goedert could qualify if he hit his set.

“It feels great,” Goedert said. “I was pretty nervous going in. I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it or not.”

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IF YOU GO

What: 2017 boys gymnastics state meet

When: 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 12; 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 13

Where: Hinsdale Central High School, 5500 Grant St., Hinsdale

More info: www.ihsa.org/SportsActivities/BoysGymnastics.aspx