Olathe ? After watching her team improve drastically this season, city high school gymnastics coach Kathy Johnson knew she would have to change the goals drastically for the postseason.

Johnson did, and the Lawrence High and Free State squads met those challenges last weekend in Hutchinson when the two schools dominated the regional meet.

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“The really cool thing is that we finished 1-2 at regionals,” Johnson said. “I’m not really surprised, because our goal was that we would get both teams to state.”

Now, both teams are trying to raise the bar higher in hopes of a state title today at Olathe East High.

“I think one of our teams could definitely come out and win the entire thing,” said Firebird Sindra Schueler, who placed second in the all-around competition at regionals and won the bars. “Both teams have a great chance of being in the top three, but it would be really cool if one of us could win it.”

Lawrence High freshman Mallory West, who won the all-around and beam at the regional, agrees that both city schools could have a shot at state. West said if things went right for her, she could be in the race for the individual title.

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