HINSDALE – Chris Wiper was the pinnacle of the Wheaton co-op boys gymnastics team’s outstanding state meet.

The sophomore tied for fifth on parallel bars (9.1) in the individual finals May 13 at Hinsdale Central to earn a top-five, all-state medal.

“It was the best routine I’ve ever done,” said Wiper, who scored 9.05 in prelims. “It was kind of scary because everyone’s watching you and the six judges, too. Ultimately, I just focused on my routine and did what I wanted to do and it worked out.”

The last team to qualify for the eight-team state meet, Wheaton scored 152.95 – a season best by 1.30 points – to finish sixth.

“We had our best meet of the year,” Wheaton co-op coach Greg Gebhardt said. “I thought fifth was the absolute best we could do.”

Also competing for the team were seniors Austin Tate, Trent Hartman, Andy Mathieu and Gabe Noguera, juniors Joey DiRienzo, Jeffery Huecias, Brent Kelpsas, Aiden Moran and Kevin Riley, sophomores Andres Noguera and Rodrigo Ruiz and freshman Marty Franz.

The team learned its 151.25 sectional score was good for an at-large state spot during a May 6 bonfire at Tate’s house.

“That was the highlight of my gymnastics season, just being there and being able to see we got on that list,” Moran said. “This is a very satisfying team trip. We were more together, just close.”

Injuries limited all-arounders DiRienzo to four events and Moran three. Moran injured his right thumb March 7 and didn’t compete again until April 15.

“I’m very grateful that I was able to compete,” Moran said. “The biggest thing that helped us through was the amount of people that we had.”

A hip injury kept DiRienzo off floor and vault. He tied for 11th on pommel horse (8.75), just .05 from the top-10 and a spot in the finals.

DiRienzo hit four events for the first time this season May 12. Tate gave Ruiz his spot on vault, Tate’s weakest event.

“Essentially, he took himself out of the all-around. That’s incredibly selfless,” Gebhardt said. “Austin’s leadership, as well as what he does in the gym, is a big reason we made it.”

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State meet team scores

1. Glenbard West, 160.95 points

2. Lyons Township, 160.75

3. Deerfield, 160.4

6. Wheaton co-op, 152.925