Bethany Lewis
The Columbus East gymnasts appear to be making progress as the postseason approaches.
The Olympians improved by 2.3 points over their previous meet and came with exactly one point of their highest score of the season and a half-point of a victory Wednesday in a 94.95 to 94.45 loss to Owen Valley.
“We threw in some new skills tonight, and we also were able to add in two of our injured girls,” East co-coach Katie Menifee said.
The Olympians, who have been competing with only three or four gymnasts the past few meets, welcomed back Lauren Dixon and Ava Luedeke. They helped provide support for top gymnasts Bethany Lewis and Shelby Kendrick.
Lewis, a freshman, was a little off of the 35.9 and 36.0 all-around scores she put up in the previous two meets, but still won the all-around with a 34.6. She won the vault (8.9), bars (8.2) and floor (9.35) and finished third on the beam (8.15).
“I tried my best, and I think I did pretty good on floor and other events, too,” Lewis said. “I think every practice, we get a little bit better. That’s the goal. I think we are getting better.”
Shelby Kendrick placed second on the bars (7.55) and fourth on the floor (8.35) on her way to a tie for third in the all-around with a 31.15. Dixon was fourth on the bars (6.9).
“This year, the girls, as long as they are improving, and they’re doing what we ask them to do, we’re not too concerned about (wins and losses) because we have a wide range of skill level,” Menifee said. “It’s hard to go up against teams with gymnasts with higher skill levels.”
“We have gymnasts that have learned a lot of things and are doing very well for the skill level that they came to us with,” co-coach Melissa Dishinger added.
Owen Valley will turn back around for Columbus again tonight to visit Columbus North. East closes the regular season Monday at Seymour, and both East and North will compete in the Franklin Central Sectional on Feb. 23.
