Columbus East’s Shelby Kendrick competes on the bars in a gymnastics meet at Columbus North High School in Columbus, Ind., Monday, Jan. 9, 2023.
The Republic file photo
It will be an inexperienced group of gymansts at Columbus East this season, and the Olympians are hoping to progress throughout the season.
“Our goal is always to see improvement after each meet throughout the season,” East co-coach Katie Menefee said. “The main goal is always to get someone to state. Even our JV, we want to see everybody improve as the season goes on.”
The Olympians have six gymnasts. Senior Shelby Kendrick and Lauren Dixon return from last year’ varsity. Junior Sophia Begley was JV.
Freshman Bethany Lewis leads a group of three newcomers.
“Shelby is coming back from a couple of hard years, so we’re excited to have her back,” co-coach Melissa Dishinger said. “She’s doing well. We’re hoping to have some good scores out of Bethany Lewis, as well.”
“Everyone else, we’re kind of still working on skills to see where they’re going to fall,” Menefee added. “They’ve been working hard and putting in the time.”
The other newcomers are senior Laura Landberg and freshman Ava Luedeke.
“They’re fairly new to the sport,” Dishinger said. “They have a little experience, but definitely not as much as the other ones. But they have learned a lot this year.”
East opens the season Saturday at home against Westfield, then will host Columbus North on Jan. 8.
The 2024 Columbus East gymnastics schedule:
Saturday vs. Westfield, 11 a.m.
Jan. 8 vs. Columbus North, 6 p.m.
Jan. 16 at Franklin Central, 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 20 vs. Bloomington North and Roncalli, 10 a.m.
Jan. 27 at Bloomington South, 11 a.m.,
Jan. 31 vs. Connersville, 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 5 vs. Bloomington South and Edgewood, 6 p.m.
Feb. 14 vs. Owen Valley, 6 p.m.
Feb. 19 at Seymour, 6 p.m.
