The Columbus East gymnastics team has been steadily improving throughout the season, and Saturday was no different when it turned in its best score of the season.
The Olympians finished with a 103.45 to edge out Bloomington North’s 102.8 and Roncalli’s 97.75 to win the triangular meet.
East got a big boost from top gymnasts Taylen Lane and Elise LaSell. Lane won the all-around competition with a 35.8, and LaSell turned in a solid score of 34.25 to finish in third.
“I think I did a lot better today,” Lane said. “The beam definitely wasn’t our best today. We definitely need to work on beam and bars and improving our skills and cleaning up. Other than that, I thought everything else was pretty good, especially floor.”
The beam definitely was the Olympians’ biggest obstacle, but not for Lane, who won the event with a score of 9.25, and LaSell, who took fourth (8.25). On the vault, Lane placed second (9.05), and LaSell was third (8.85).
On the bars, Lane captured first with a score of 8.2. Makyna Mullins finished third (8.0), and LaSell was fourth (7.95). Lane tied for first on the vault with a score of 9.3, with LaSell finishing third (9.2).
“It’s the highest team score we had, but we really struggled on the beam today, unfortunately,” East coach Nancy Kirshman said. “We had a great floor today, and the floor turned out really well. The bars were a little bit low, and the vaulting was decent, but really our biggest downfall was the beam, which is the make or break event.”
East had several of its top scores of the season.
“I’m pleased with some of the ladies today with some very high scores. Elise had her highest floor score ever and maybe her highest vaulting score today,” Kirshman said. “Taylen had a decent day everywhere. She held us in the beam with that 9.25. She did a good job holding us right there. Overall, I’m pleased for them. We did really well.”
