Building Blocks / Olympians will field young gymnastics team

Columbus East's Elise LaSell, left, talks with teammate Taylen Lane between events in a gymnastics meet against Owen Valley at Columbus East High School, in Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019. Mike Wolanin | The Republic

Nancy Kirshman retired after her 46th season as Columbus East gymnastics coach, but when a replacement couldn’t be found, Kirshman came back to lead the Olympians for at least another year.

Kirshman’s 47th East squad will be one of her youngest. The team has no seniors on the roster.

"They’re a good group," Kirshman said. "We’re just going to be a little young on the experience side. The ability and talent is there. It’s a matter of work ethic with what we see by the end of the season. I anticipate good things as we approach the end of the season."

A pair of juniors figure to lead the Olympians this season. Elise LaSell and Taylen Lane return with by far the most experience of the nine girls on the squad.

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LaSell finished 26th in the state in the all-around last season. Lane was slowed by a late-season injury and competed in only two events at state.

"Obviously, they’re our most experienced gymnasts," Kirshman said. "It’s going to vary on different events, but I would say Elise and Taylen are our top two gymnasts, with Reagan (Mount) right behind."

Mount, a sophomore, competed on three events at state last year.

After that, the varsity experience drops off considerably. Sophomores Carlie Menefee, Tia Brown and Winter Shaver competed mostly at the JV level last season.

"They’ve worked hard in the offseason, and I’ve already seen improvement in them," Kirshman said. "It takes quite awhile, but they’ve built up their strength and built up their confidence. I think they’ll show improvement throughout the season."

East has a trio of freshmen who will look to contribute in Makyna Mullins, Cami Warren and Claudia Colvin.

"Cami Warren and Makyna Mullins are experienced with club gymnastics," Kirshman said. "They could pop in on an individual event here or there."

As it is every year, the Olympians’ goal is to qualify for the state finals. They finished eighth at state last season.

"That’s what the main goal is — to qualify for state in as a team, and then go up there and do the best that we can," Kirshman said.

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The 2020 Columbus East gymnastics schedule:

Saturday;Seymour;10 a.m.

Jan. 13;Columbus North;6:30 p.m.

Jan. 21;at Franklin Central;6:30 p.m.

Jan. 25;Bloomington North, Roncalli;10 a.m.

Feb. 1;at Bloomington South Invitational;11 a.m.

Feb. 5;Connersville;6:30 p.m.

Feb. 10;Bloomington South;6:30 p.m.

Feb. 19;Edgewood, Owen Valley;6:30 p.m.

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