East Gymnasts Gear Up for Sectional After Edgewood Meet

Junior Bethany Lewis leads the way with all-around title, but team score falls short against rival Edgewood.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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The Columbus East High School gymnastics team faced off against rival Edgewood in a key meet ahead of the upcoming sectional tournament. While Edgewood took the team victory, junior Bethany Lewis continued her strong season by capturing the all-around title with a 34.85 score. The Olympians were able to field a full varsity lineup for the first time this year, but coaches Katie Menefee and Melissa Dishinger know the team has work to do to sharpen routines and clean up details before the postseason begins.

Why it matters

This meet served as an important checkpoint for the East gymnastics team as they gear up for the sectional tournament. While the team score didn't meet their expectations, getting the full varsity lineup on the floor together for the first time was a positive step, and the coaches see it as an opportunity to identify areas for improvement ahead of the high-stakes postseason competition.

The details

Edgewood defeated East 99.2 to 89.8 in the team competition, but the night had some bright spots for the Olympians. Junior Bethany Lewis continued her strong season by winning the all-around title with a 34.85 score, capturing three individual event wins and finishing in the top three on vault. Teammates Kai Scott and Ava Luedeke also contributed solid all-around performances, showing the depth of East's lineup. Coaches Menefee and Dishinger acknowledged the team has work to do to sharpen routines and clean up details before the sectional meet, but they're confident the Olympians can make the necessary improvements in the coming weeks.

  • The Edgewood meet took place on Monday, February 17, 2026.
  • East will compete at Rushville on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.
  • The Olympians will then head to Seymour on February 23, 2026.
  • The Franklin Central Sectional is scheduled for February 27, 2026.

The players

Bethany Lewis

A junior gymnast at Columbus East High School who won the all-around title at the Edgewood meet with a 34.85 score, capturing three individual event wins and finishing in the top three on vault.

Kai Scott

A gymnast at Columbus East High School who tied for third on the floor exercise (8.35) and posted a 29.25 all-around score at the Edgewood meet.

Ava Luedeke

A gymnast at Columbus East High School who contributed a 25.7 all-around score at the Edgewood meet.

Katie Menefee

The head coach of the Columbus East High School gymnastics team.

Melissa Dishinger

An assistant coach of the Columbus East High School gymnastics team.

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What they’re saying

“This wasn't a disaster, but it also wasn't the standard the Olympians want to carry into tournament time. The good news is the fix is simple, even if the work is hard: sharpen routines, clean up details, and make sure each event ends with a 'stick,' not a 'wish.'”

— Katie Menefee, Head Coach, Columbus East High School Gymnastics (1010wcsi.com)

“You don't have to be perfect in February... you have to be ready when the sectional lights turn on.”

— Bethany Lewis (1010wcsi.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This meet highlighted the need for the East gymnastics team to sharpen their routines and clean up details ahead of the high-stakes sectional tournament, but the coaches are confident the Olympians can make the necessary improvements in the coming weeks to be ready when the postseason begins.