Elise LaSell spent most of her freshman season with the Columbus East gymnastics team at the junior varsity level and was an alternate at last year’s state tournament.
With the Olympians having to fill a big void after the departure of state all-around runner-up Adi Minor to graduation and another position from senior Abby Lewis due to injury, it was LaSell’s shot to play a big role with the team this year.
LaSell has made the most of her opportunity so far. The sophomore has played a big role for East this season and tonight will compete in the East Sectional, which is slated for a 6 p.m. start.
LaSell says her transition from JV to varsity has been smooth.
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“It’s been pretty good so far. I’ve put a lot of work into it,” LaSell said. “Whenever we saw that we lost Abby because she got hurt and Adi, I knew I had to step. It just made me work much harder. I’ve wanted to have a varsity spot all freshman year, so this year to finally earn it was really good because I saw all of my hard work pay off.”
East coach Nancy Kirshman has seen the improvement of LaSell from last season.
“It’s a big transition coming from JV and being required to fill in a spot and hopefully be one of the top gymnasts that scores,” Kirshman said. “She works hard and takes criticism really well and listens well, too. It’s been a transition for her, but she’s doing well as a team member and filling in spots.”
LaSell has been the No. 3 gymnasts for most of the year, but will likely be stepping in as the No. 2 gymnast for today’s sectional. Taylen Lane, the Olympians normal No. 2 gymnast, hurt an ankle a few weeks ago and is doubtful compete in all four of the events tonight.
Kirshman says LaSell is ready for the challenge.
“She’s filled the spot and has done a great job for us,” Kirshman said. “She tries hard, and that’s all you can ask for. She’s developing as a gymnast, and she’ll do a good job here her junior and senior year.”
Crosstown rival and seventh-ranked Columbus North is the favorite to win the sectional. East, which is receiving votes in the state rankings, also is likely to advance, but could be in the mix with four other teams battling for the remaining two spots.
The top three teams in the sectional advance to regional.
“We know that we’re going to have to work really hard to pull out of sectional because we don’t want to sit out of regional,” LaSell said. “Everyone this week has been working really hard to get all of their skills down and be as clean as possible. Hopefully, we’ll be in the top three and move out.”
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Columbus East gymnastics sectional
When: 7 p.m. today
Where: Columbus East High School
Admission: $6
Teams competing: Columbus East, Columbus North, Bloomington North, Bloomington South, Brebeuf Jesuit, Decatur Central, Edgewood, Franklin Central, Indianapolis Lutheran, Indianapolis Scecina, Martinsville, Owen Valley, Roncalli, Seymour
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