Ag Science's Maxwell saves best for last

When he saw his name last in the lineup for the horizontal bar competition in Saturday's individual portion of the Boys Gymnastics State Meet, Ag Science's Justin Maxwell could see that perfect ending to his high school career.

Knowing exactly what score he needed to get, 9.5 or better, Maxwell went out and wowed the crowd, earning a 9.6 to claim the first-place medal at Lincoln-Way East High School in Frankfort.

"It was kind of a storybook setting, and I wanted to go last," Maxwell said. "Last week at sectionals, I did pretty good on the high bar, and I really wanted to make the finals this week. For the final, I added a release move called the 'tkatcher,' and a new dismount, a double-twist, double back. And I nailed it, so it was pretty good. I was really excited."

Maxwell's routine and dismount brought the crowd to its feet as the senior got the loudest applause from the two days of competition.

Earlier in the day, Maxwell finished seventh in the all-around competition and ninth in the still rings. So for the senior, there was some redemption in the last-event win.

"I was a little upset because earlier in the prelims, I expected to go out and do all my routines and get first," Maxwell said. "I wanted to get to finals, and anything else would have been cool, too. I wanted to hit my routine and get the gold medal."

Ag Science's Chancellor Foulks wasn't too far behind in the horizontal bar, taking fourth place with his 9.4 score.

While Maxwell got Saturday's top medal among Southlanders, Lincoln-Way co-op's Isaac Kruspe earned the most medals for an area athlete with three: one fourth-place and two fifth-place medals.

The sophomore placed fourth in the parallel bars (9.2) and tied for fifth in both the rings (9.3) and the vault (9.3).

"Individually, I was just hoping to place, which I did, and I'm pretty happy about it," Kruspe said, medals around his neck. "It was pretty awesome, and as a sophomore, it's phenomenal to hear your name on the varsity level in the finals. I just hope to get better next year."

Competing in the vault, Kruspe posted a 9.3 as the fifth athlete to go and watched as the other competitors went.

But Kruspe's score stood up when Niles West's Jake Ganellen drew a 9.1.

In the still ring, the tables were turned as Kruspe went last and knew what he had to do to place.

Glenbard North's Jesus Soto got a 9.3, meaning Kruspe had to equal or better the score.

But did that change his mind-set going in? Not at all.

"I just went out and did my thing," Kruspe said.

Other local athletes competing in the individual competition included Foulks in the floor exercise with a ninth-place finish with his 8.9 score.

In the vault, Lincoln-Way co-op's Ryan Mars ended in ninth place with a 9.15.

On the parallel bars, Mars finished in ninth with an 8.55.

Rounding out the scores, Lincoln-Way co-op's Kyle Staley took eighth in the horizontal bar with a 9.15.