Niles West and Niles North boys gymnastics have merged together for the season. In the past years, participation in boy’s gymnastics throughout the state of Illinois has decreased. Instead of cutting the sport altogether, the D219 Athletic Departments merged the two teams under the name “The Unified 219 Boys Gymnastics Team.”

“The boys gymnastics is no longer an official IHSA sport, the reason being, not enough schools are participating in boys gymnastics for it to continue as an official sport…Since that has happened, many schools that had the program as a sport have either completely gotten rid of [boys gymnastics] or they became clubs under activities like Archery or Ski and Snowboard Club,” assistant athletic director Milutin Cejovic said.

Despite being received with mixed emotions, Niles West senior gymnast Johnathan Guan is looking at the change optimistically.

“I’m excited that we’ll be practicing with North, as I’ve met many of their athletes and I think they’ll be a good addition to the team. I am worried about the amount of people that will stay on the team though,” Guan said.

Logistically, this is not an easy process either, as one of the teams will have to commute every day to practice.

“We will practice and compete at Niles West, in our gymnastics facility. Niles North students will be bused to Niles West. I am not sure how this will work, but we will make sure we offer opportunities to our Niles North students, as well as our Niles West students. As gymnasts, we are flexible, so we will make it work,” head (joint) boys gymnastics coach, Adrian Batista said.

Although it is not a perfect circumstance, it is clear the Niles West Athletic Department, under the leadership of Dr. Dana Krilich, along with her counterpart at Niles North, Brett Bildstein, are dedicated to the success and enjoyment of all of the student-athletes of D219.

“The state of boys gymnastics is not looking good in Illinois but I am so proud to be a District 219 coach knowing that this district went against what so many other schools have done and continued to provide opportunities for our student athletes. District 219 continues to make wise decisions for the students and I am so lucky to be a part of a district and athletic departments that want the best for its students,” Batista said.

The boy’s gymnastics season is around the corner, so come see them compete here at West!