When Taylen Lane arrives at Ball State as a student this fall, she’ll be more than familiar with at least one building on campus.
The Columbus East senior will be making her fourth appearance in the Gymnastics State Finals on Saturday, three of which will have been contested at Ball State’s Worthen Arena. Opening ceremonies are at 12:40 p.m., and competition starts at 1 p.m.
“It was such a hard year, being out the whole season and being able to say I’ve gone all four years,” Lane said. “This will only be my third meet this year, so I’m super excited to be able to do beam again.”
Lane sustained a concussion in late December when she hit her head on the lower bar and fell to the ground while practicing her bars routine. She missed the entire regular season before being cleared to resume competition the week before the sectional.
At the East Sectional, Lane competed on the beam and floor. She tied for fifth on the beam with an 8.8 to qualify for regional as an individual.
“It was really tough, especially being my senior year and not being able to compete all year,” Lane said. “But I was really excited to be able to come back at sectional and compete in something.”
Lane scored an 8.875 on the beam in the East Regional, again tying for fifth, to advance to state.
Since her return to competition, Lane hasn’t performed her back-handspring or back-tuck on the beam, two skills which she has included in her routines in the past. She has been working on getting those back into her routine this week in hopes of approaching her personal-best score of 9.3 on Saturday.
“I’m hoping to get at least a 9,” Lane said. “I’m hoping I’ll be able to add more of my skills from years in the past and still come out with a clean routine.”
This is the second year in a row Lane has qualified for state as an individual after making it with the Olympians team her first two years.
“I think it’s something that not a lot of people can say that they have done,” East co-coach Katie Menefee said. “For her to be out all season, and to come back and be able to make it to state, we’re really proud of her. We’re looking forward to seeing her compete and enjoying her last week here practicing and trying to keep improving her routines.”
