Columbus East High School

The Columbus East gymnastics team picked up its first win of the season on Tuesday night, defeating the Rushville Lions 91.9-83.5 in the Orange Pit. The victory marks a significant step forward for the Olympians as they continue to build confidence and consistency throughout the season. Sophomore standout Bethany Lewis once again led the way, delivering a dominant performance across all four events. Lewis claimed first place on vault (9.1), bars (8.55), beam (9.3), and floor (8.4), setting a season-best all-around score of 35.35. Freshman Gracie Collier, competing in just her first season of gymnastics, made a strong impression with a second-place all-around finish (28.6). Collier placed second on beam (7.7) and floor (7.7) while securing third on bars (5.7) and fourth on vault (7.5). Senior Sophia Begley narrowly missed an all-around placement but contributed solid scores, finishing third on beam (7.5) and fourth on vault (7.6) and bars (5.65) for an all-around total of 27.95. Sophomore Ava Luedeke and freshman Leigh Vandergriff also set personal records, showcasing the team’s overall improvement. As a team, the Olympians posted event scores of 24.2 on vault, 19.9 on bars, 24.5 on beam, and 23.3 on floor. While East showed strength in several areas, they also faced challenges, particularly on beam, where falls impacted their overall performance. However, the focus remains on growth and progress as they look ahead to future meets. With this win under their belt, the Olympians continue to build momentum, demonstrating that their hard work in practice is paying off.