Sophomore Lyla Drowne is geared up for an exciting weekend at the State Competition for Girls Gymnastics. Going into her second year as a State qualifier after facing a season-pausing injury, she’s ready to represent Lake Forest in Bloomington on Friday.
After the team came out on top at the North Suburban Conference this season, they have excelled in their following meets, including Regionals and Sectionals. However, as the only girl on the team who qualified for the State meet, Drowne’s preparation is crucial to her performance.
In order to qualify, you have to place in the top five in the Sectional. Drowne placed first in the All Around (beam, bars, vault, and floor scores combined), Bars, and Vault. She also won the regional championship two years in a row, which Head Coach Brittany Moccia said is “impressive.”
“It’s incredibly difficult in terms of our Sectional,” Moccia said. “Her confidence in her skills and her gymnastics has grown, as well as her consistency in routines and numbers.”
After competing at State as a freshman in 2024, Drowne feels more prepared going into her second season as a veteran. Her goal is to make it to the second day and final round, something she wasn’t able to accomplish her first year.
The State competition is unlike any other that the team competes in throughout the season. With so many eyes on the girls and with it being such a high stakes competition, the pressure can easily get to an athlete.
“Obviously it’s the best of high school girls, so it would be hard to make it to day two. I feel confident in what I’ve done so far this season, so I’m going to stay focused on doing the best that I can,” Drowne said.
Her coaches have also noticed her confidence skyrocket this season.
“When you are confident and consistent in gymnastics, you kind of see that steady, solid, positive growth in your scores. And I think for her this season, her routines are consistent, and she’s scoring well in all of those areas,” Moccia said.
Assistant Coach Kaylin Rocha said that the first year competing at the competition was more of a test run.
“It was a learning opportunity for her… I think she’ll be more mentally prepared and focused on what she wants to do, and go into it,” Rocha said.
This season looked a bit different for Drowne. Halfway through the season, she suffered from a slight foot injury that took her out of her full practice regimine, and left her with a lack of training. However, after bouncing back a few weeks ago, Drowne was able to pick back up right where she left off.
By overcoming these challenges, she’s in the best position to succeed this weekend. Despite this “setback,” her comeback is “not something you see a lot in gymnastics.”
“It speaks to who she is as an athlete and how she trains and how mentally tough she is for the sport,” Moccia said.
