Boys Gymnastics: Ajani Cargle wins all six events in record-breaking state finals
Updated: May 12, 2012 10:20PM
Lincoln-Way Co-op senior Ajani Cargle didn’t have to worry about outscoring Glenbard West freshman Alex Diab during Saturday’s IHSA boys gymnastics individual championships, but that didn’t stop him from having a record-breaking performance.
Diab, who edged Cargle during Friday’s all-around competition, was in Cincinnati for the USA Gymnastics Men’s Junior Olympics Nationals. Meanwhile, at Lincoln-Way East in Frankfort, Cargle put the finishing touches on a brilliant high school career, becoming the first gymnast in state history to win all six events.
Cargle had set a goal to win all six last year, but snagged only the floor exercise and high bar titles. This time he wouldn’t be denied.
“He set a goal last year to go 6-for-6 and win them all and wasn’t able to achieve it,” Lincoln-Way Co-op coach Skip Adamson said. “It’s a remarkable thing for any kid to set a goal and either not achieve it and work really hard to achieve it and then achieve it.”
Cargle started strong with a 9.7 to win pommel horse, the first time he’d hit it during the state series. He proceeded to register a 9.65 on floor, 9.75 on still rings, 9.7 on vault and 9.5 on parallel bars before finishing with a 9.65 on high bar.
“It’s the first time I’ve gone 6-for-6 at least this year,” he said. “I’m not sure about other years.”
His all-around total of 57.95 would have been a new state record as well, if only he had pulled off the feat a night earlier.
“I wish, but it is what it is,” he said. “[Diab and I] both had our meets and it’s over and in the past, and best wishes to him.”
Naperville North senior Billy Suta took second on high bar and still rings with a 9.4 on each event.
Palatine junior Jonah Hinz was the only gymnast other than Cargle to finish in the top five in at least three events. Hinz was third on parallel bars and still rings and fifth on pommel horse.
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