Lawrence High senior Mallory West lunges toward the vault. West won the all-around title at the Lawrence Invitational on Monday at LHS.

Free State junior Amelia Firns-Hubert takes off toward the vault during the Lawrence All-Around Invitational Monday, Oct. 1, 2007 at Lawrence High.

Monday night’s Lawrence All-Around Invitational was a showcase of the best gymnastics talent in the area, with 14 high schools bringing their three top gymnasts to Lawrence High.

But the occasion held even greater significance for three LHS seniors: Courtney Barber, LeighAnn Krishe and Mallory West. The three marched out during the introductory procession, flowers in hand, as each was honored on senior night for contributions to the team.

And West couldn’t have scripted a better way to close a career at home.

Her all-around score of 36.65 garnered her first place and a whole lot of confidence as the state tournament approaches.

“I’m excited that I could go out this way,” West said. “That I could do my best and end up winning. That’s great to know that I could end my whole senior night with a win.”

West’s improvements were across the board in vault, bars, beam and floor from last week’s Free State Invitational.

“It’s just been amazing,” West said of her experience as a Lions gymnast. “I worked so hard in club when I was younger that it’s awesome that I can get the recognition in high school for something that I love so much.”

Krishe finished in 12th place overall, and Barber, who joined the gymnastics team this year, did not compete. LHS sophomore Maria Carvajal rounded out the Lions’ lineup with a 14th-place finish.

Krishe said the opening ceremony was emotional, and she thought of how much she had bonded with her teammates over the years.

“I didn’t want to cry or anything,” she said. “It was pretty sad just seeing everybody and knowing that it was all going to come to an end pretty soon.”

Free State High, which practices with LHS and has no seniors on its team, was led by sophomore Drue Davis’ ninth-place finish. Kelcy Bowers finished 13th, and Amelia Firns-Hubert placed 19th.

Firns-Hubert, the oldest member of the Firebirds as a junior, said the LHS senior class will be missed.

“It’s kind of like we’ve grown up together basically,” Firns-Hubert said. “It’s going to be sad to see them go after state. They’re kind of like the moms of the team right now.”

Lawrence and Free State coach Kathy Johnson, who had somebody else read the senior introductions to avoid crying, expressed how much this particular group has meant to her.

“I love their excitement and enthusiasm,” Johnson said. “They’re part of a group, and they’re great as a team together. They’re just a nice group of girls.”