The Lawrence High gymnastics team has won state the last two years, but the Lions have not captured a Sunflower League title.

During tonight’s meet at Olathe Northwest, the Lions receive another chance.

“That would be huge for us,” LHS junior Mallory West said.

The meet features 11 teams, including Shawnee Mission East, Shawnee Mission North, Shawnee Mission South, Shawnee Mission West, Shawnee Mission Northwest, Olathe North, Olathe East, Olathe South, Olathe Northwest, Free State High and LHS.

Olathe East is the reigning Sunflower League champ. East’s Annie Pauls and Beth Copeland should push local gymnasts West, Abby Jones, Kara Kellison and Jennifer Pogge. Several of the athletes have competed together on the club circuit.

“Olathe East is very good. They have a lot of talented gymnasts,” West said. “We know the girls. and we all respect each other.”

West dominated the competition last year en route to winning her second straight all-around state title. She, however, underwent reconstructive ankle surgery in March. She has recovered but only has participated in two events – beam and bars – to prevent re-injury.

Kathy Johnson, the coach for both LHS and Free State, said she did not know whether West would expand her repertoire tonight. She could make the decision right before the match.

If West participates in floor, she will unveil a new routine, titled “Hooked on Mozart.”

“It will be a little bit more grown up,” West said. “My last two routines have been pretty perky, pretty upbeat,”

LHS’ Jones also has rebounded from an injury. After suffering a stress fracture to her back last year, the senior has consistently won the all-around competitions during the fall season. Jones said her back sometimes hurt after practice and meets, but one could hardly tell by her continued excellence. Could she perform even better?

“She’s done very, very well,” Johnson said. “But nobody’s scoring 10.0s yet. There’s always room for improvement. There are other gymnasts vying to beat her.”

Jones will showcase a new floor routine tonight, including a double full – a roundback handspring, layout and two twists.

“It’s kind of hard,” Jones, a senior, said.

After tonight’s meet, the stakes will become higher. Regionals occur Tuesday, and state competitions follow Nov. 4.

“These are like our three big, final meets,” Free State senior Laura Devlin said.