Fiery, animated and talented, Naperville North's Brad Foerch isnow the "Rage of Du Page." Foerch doubles as the boys' and girls'gymnastics coach and has built both programs into state contenders.
For his efforts, the 30-year-old master motivator was named theDu Page Valley coach of the year at the boys' conference meet lastFriday.
Although his team lost to two-time state runner-up Glenbard East143.85-141.9, it was a season-high score for the Huskies. GlenbardEast has won the conference six straight years since moving from theDes Plaines Valley League.
"We're learning from you guys how to become champions," saidFoerch to Glenbard East coach Steve Kafka, who was coach of the yearlast season.
After Kafka offered his congratulations, Foerch said: "He(Kafka) should have been coach of the year the past six years.
"We were just nervous. It's always tough the first time to wina major competition and Glenbard East is a very seasoned team with aseasoned coach. He's raised his scores from 130 to 145. I'm stilltrying to catch him."
After avenging two earlier losses to Naperville North, Kafka isseeking to overtake No.2 Addison Trail, but Kafka is keeping an eyeon Naperville North.
"I knew we were going to get better, I just didn't know if itwould be enough," Kafka said. "This is the closest the race has everbeen since I've been in the conference.
"I never gave my kids a break - ever. We did poorly and went143. If we hit our routines like we can, we should be able to raiseit to 148 or more."
FEELS LIKE FIRST TIME: Geography has been a cruel nemesis toGlenbard West gymnastics coach Blaise Blasko, who has never won aconference title competing against juggernauts Addison Trail andHinsdale Central. That could change this year for Blasko, who isretiring from coaching to concentrate on his duties as athleticdirector.
Blasko's son Dan, a senior, is the team's top vaulter and floorexercise performer and will lead the host Hilltoppers at the WestSuburban Silver meet Friday at 6:30.
NO HORSING AROUND: Hinsdale Central has lost twice to GlenbardWest, including a 141.8-140.5 margin at the Glenbard WestInvitational last week.
"We weren't very healthy (at Glenbard West); we can find acouple more points," coach Neil Krupicka said. "I've had strongerteams but this is one is made up of some of the nicest kids I've had.
Pommel horse specialist Serafin Deleon is a key to the RedDevils' upset hopes, Krupicka said.
"Serafin's the captain along with Aaron Steele. He will play abig role in his event but an even bigger part off the apparatus.He, Aaron and all-arounder Nestor Battung are the inspirationalleaders."
Serafin, a 5-6 senior, is the latest in a long line of statepommel horse champions at Hinsdale, including Ted Marcy, who wassecond in 1970 and won the title in 1971 and 1972, scoring a staterecord 9.75. Other state champions include Ed Slezak (1969 and1970), Paul Black (1975) and Steve Yuan (1985).
"Time stands still in our gym," Krupicka said. "Serafin isreally in tune with the tradition and dedication. He has picked upthat with his work ethic. He's an average-talented kid but pusheshimself hard.
"He is extremely bright. He is ranked in the upper 5 percent ofthe nation academically. He has scored 8.1 on the horse, but I'msure he'll be up in the 8.6 range. This whole team is like that.
"He's on the math team and sometimes it conflicts with practice,but it's nice to have bright kids like that in the gym. They areaverage or above average in skills but they work hard on techniqueand form. I hope it will be enough to beat teams with moreability."
GOIN' FOR THE GOLD: The West Suburban Gold meet will begin at6:30 p.m. Friday at Hinsdale South and, as always, the top of theawards podium will be earmarked for Addison Trail.
The Blazers have won 16 consecutive conference titles dating tothe Des Plaines Valley and have posted a 151.3 score this season,second best in the state.
Willowbrook beat Addison in a dual meet earlier this year, butits top all-arounder, Sean Henderson, is out for the year with abroken hand.
"They are without Sean but Rick Kennedy sprained his ankleThursday and it is very difficult to tell if he will be fullstrength," Addison coach Fred Dennis said. "He was on crutches. Heand Woody Chhay trade off as our top all-arounder.
"When Willowbrook beat us, Rick was sick. And we beat themwithout Sean. Neither of us has been full strength. It's hard totell who will have the advantage, but I believe Rick will compete."
FLOORING THEM: Glenbard North's Grant Stenzel became thesecond Panther in four years to win the Du Page Valley floor exercisetitle. Gilbert Guido won it in 1986 and went on to place third inthe state and is now competing at Illinois-Chicago. Stenzel edgedNaperville North's Jay Eller 9.0-8.95.
"He's the biggest surprise I've seen in a long time," saidGlenbard North athletic director Jon Boulton. "If someone would havetold me three years ago he would be able to score a 9.0 and win thefloor exercise conference championship, I would never have believedit.
"He's a big kid (6-0) for a gymnast and played football forthree years and wrestled for two. He just concentrated ongymnastics this year after he had surgery on his wrist last winter.
"He would have been an all-arounder had he not hurt his wrist.We've had a number of good floor exercise people over the years but(coach) Gary Baker deserves a tremendous amont of credit for Grant'sdevelopment."
OH OMAR: Lyons pommel horse specialist Omar Parikh can helprinse the taste of disappontment from the mouth of Lyons coach FredDryanski. Last year Tim Tittlebach fell off the horse at thesectional, failing to qualilfy for the state meet by .05, but went onto compete at Kent State.
Parikh won the pommel horse title at the Glenbard WestInvitational with an 8.2 score and has an 8.4 personal best. Thesenior scored 1.9 as a freshman.
"He has a good swing and a strong upper body," Dryanski said."But his work habits are the key. It's nothing to see him work outtwo hours a crack with minimum time at the chalk bowl."
DEFENDERS: Three-time Mid Suburban champion and two-time statetitlist Conant defends its title at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Hersey. Theeighth-ranked Cougars have scored 145.2, but lost to No. 3 RollingMeadows 143-140 and to No. 7 Schaumburg 149-145.
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