Geneva High gymnast Kosog is one of a kind

When Geneva senior Kai Kosog tells his classmates that he is a gymnast for the Vikings, people are often surprised since the school does not have a boys gymnastics team.

"A lot of people think I'm with the girls team, if you can believe that," Kosog said.

Kosog, the first male gymnast to ever compete for Geneva, is starting to open eyes at the school, thanks to his success.

Kosog is one of the top gymnasts in the state, finishing in the top five in five of six events at the April 30 sectional meet, qualifying for state in each. The state finals are Friday and Saturday at Barrington High School.

"I'm pretty much under the radar (at school)," Kosog said. "I'm just trying to bring it out. Usually it's teachers who talk to me about it because they saw my name in the paper."

He competes as an individual at meets, but Geneva covers all costs associated with his competition. He is coached by his club coach, Tom Wirth, of St. Charles Gymnastics Club.

"(Being the only gymnast at the school) was a little strange for him the first year, but he's gotten accustomed to it," Wirth said.

Wirth approached Geneva athletics director Jim Kafer about the possibility of Kosog competing for the school four years ago. The Vikings have had individuals compete in sports such as badminton and swimming in the past, but Kosog is the first male gymnast.

"We told them we would support him even though we didn't have a team, we would support him as a school," Kafer said. "We're always quick to encourage that. He's an excellent gymnast. We don't give him the support or recognition he may get if we had a team here, but we certainly appreciate his accomplishments."

Kosog got a late start in a sport dominated by kids who take up the sport at an early age. Kosog said he was always the kid searching for a trampoline to bounce around on, but he never considered formally starting gymnastics until he was in eighth grade.

"When he decided he wanted to do it, we had to place him past the first two levels he normally would have competed in and started him with the rest of his club team," Wirth said. "Amazingly, he caught up right away. Anybody who didn't know that probably wouldn't be able to tell."

Kosog is not completely alone when he competes in most meets. Wirth is also coaching a new, three-man team at St. Charles North that also trains with Kosog. Senior Bryan Beth and sophomore twins Ryan and Sean Johnston have trained with Kosog since he took up the sport.

"When you go to these meets with the same people for the last five years, you know everybody," Kosog said. "It's not as bad as you'd think it would be. I'm just glad I can compete in high school."

Training with the trio of St. Charles North gymnasts, in the offseason, Kosog worked hard to erase his disappointing end to the season from his mind. Kosog finished 13th in the state in the all-around and reached the state finals in the vault. But he had his worst performance of the season, motivating him to accomplish even bigger things in his last varsity go-around.

So far, the results have been positive. He recently won the all-around title at the 12-team Fred Dennis Invitational at Addison Trail and posted a career-best 53.7 score in the all-around in a dual against Schaumburg in his last meet.

And then, there's his success in sectionals.

"My season has been building up," Kosog said. "I've been working very hard. I just need to stay as consistent as I've been. I've been scoring in the lower 50s, and that will definitely get me to the finals this year. I'll give it everything I've got at state, so hopefully all goes well."

Wirth says that Kosog's strength is his consistency in every event, which serves him well particularly in the all-around. And seeing Kosog this season has prompted Wirth to expect big things of him heading to the state tournament.

"He has to be consistent through the state series," Wirth said. "If he does what he's been doing, I don't see any reason why he won't. I know he's capable. He wants it really bad this year. I have complete faith that he's going to do it."

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