The Lawrence High gymnastics team has had a very successful year as they head into their state competition. Led by senior team captains Ivori Jones and Charlee Burghart, the team has had many medalists throughout the season and looks ahead for a successful state run. 

The Lions started off hot winning their first meet as a team at home with a team score of 102.6.

“Starting off the season strong and winning our first meet was kind of an eye opener that we do have a chance at doing well at state and other meets and that we do have a lot of potential,” senior captain Charlee Burghart said.

 The team has had many successful meets throughout the season, with Providence Fowler, Emily Brandt, Haley Belanger, Charlee Burghart, Sophie Wirth, Ivori Jones and Meara Kingery all receiving medals during the season.

Senior Meara Kingery has helped bring the team lots of success this year and is ready to put it all together at state. 

Kingery has medaled at every meet this year for the Lions. She has competed all around at every event and placed first overall at their first home meet. 

“It’s pretty exciting just cause the whole team is cheering and they are all excited which makes it fun,” Kingery said. 

The varsity team consists of only seven athletes but they have all bonded together this season and worked hard as a group.

“The smaller group helps just because we are always with each other and we have team dinners sometimes so that keeps us bonded,” Kingery said. 

The Lions are ranked as the fourth best team in the state going into the competition and are pulling out all the stops to show out at state. 

“We are pulling out a lot of new skills so that’s really exciting,” Burghart said. “We are just kind of seeing what we can do.” 

Burghart has stepped up as a captain and hopes the team will reach new heights this year from past state appearances.

“We have all just had our eyes on the prize of state,” Burghart said. “We have just worked together to have the best outcome.”