BUTLER TWP - When Kevin Hallinan took over as the Butler boys gymnastics coach last year, he boldly predicted he'd be coaching a national champion.

He knew what he had inherited.

"These guys were already pretty good when I got here," Hallinan said. "They just needed to update their training style and get a little more direction.

"We didn't get a national champion, but we came close."

They did get a lot of medals. Butler's level 10 boys team produced three individual state championships, one regional championship and two top-five places at the Junior Olympic National Championships in Houston, Texas.

Dusty Cranmer, a junior at Seneca Valley, tied for second in the nation on the parallel bars with a score of 9.550. Chad Wiest, a junior at Moniteau, placed fifth nationally by scoring a 9.30 in floor exercise.

Butler graduate Eddie Hay and Karns City junior Cody Carnahan also performed admirably at nationals.

"Finishing second nationally was not something I envisioned myself doing," Cranmer said. "My goal was to do well at nationals."

Cranmer placed sixth on parallel bars and 40th in all-around at nationals last year in San Diego. He finished 22nd in all-around this year.

Wiest, Hay and Carnahan also competed at nationals last season.

"It was a big help going (to nationals) last year," Cranmer said. "We had a better idea of what to expect this time."

Wiest had a broken wrist at nationals last year and was determined to make good this time around.

"He (Hallinan) helped my attitude during competitions and in practice," Wiest said. "I'm focusing on my all-around performance now for next year."

Wiest, Hay and Cranmer finished second, fifth and ninth, respectively, out of 65 competitors at the Region VII Championships at West Point, N.Y., prior to nationals.

A Butler County Community College student this year, Hay accepted a partial scholarship to Ohio State University in December. He is the first male gymnast from the Butler Gymnastics Club to get a Division I scholarship.

"I doubt he'll be the last," Hallinan said. "Minnesota, Army, Navy, Temple and Ohio State have already inquired about our three seniors (Cranmer, Carnahan and Wiest) coming back next year."

All three have goals of competing in collegiate gymnastics.

"Our team was one of the more recognizable ones in Houston," Hallinan said. "College coaches remembered us from last year and we had done so well at regionals."

Hay is certain he won't be the only gymnast from the Butler club moving on to college competition.

"I got a scholarship and those other guys are just as good as me," he said. "It happened for me and it will happen for them."

"Competing at nationals in front of all of those college coaches is so important," Carnahan said. "It gives you a chance to show them what you can do in a big-time atmosphere."

Butler's level 10 boys have done plenty. Hay (floor exercise), Wiest (parallel bars) and Aaron Zaiser (vault) won state championships. Wiest also won in parallel bars at the regional meet.

Zaiser, who has two years remaining with the Butler squad, reached nationals this year.

"I have to improve my skill level to get up where these other guys are," Zaiser said. "But they are such good role models. They've shown me where I need to be and how to get there."

The Junior Olympic Nationals featured 268 level 10 gymnasts, ages 16 to 18, participating. All 50 states in the country were represented.

The Butler boys team placed 10th in the nation in all-around, first in floor exercise and second in parallel bars.

"I'm excited for all of these guys," Hallinan said. "They worked hard and gave maximum effort all season.

"I did my job, they did their job … I gave them direction, they took it and did something with it," he added.

"He's a good coach," Hay said. "He keeps the sport fresh and keeps it fun. You don't feel burned out at the end of the year."

Butler's competitive boys team had 20 members this season. Hallinan hopes to increase that total to 30 by next year.

His level 7 team won the state championship this year as well.

"Hard work and dedication produces results," Hallinan said. "These five guys demonstrated what integrity and work ethic can accomplish in this sport."