Megan Leiby-McMahon wanted a change.
After competing in club gymnastics a majority of her life, the Haslett sophomore was ready to experience different things.
Leiby-McMhaon has had the chance to do that this school year. It started this fall when she joined the Haslett swim and dive team and competed as a diver for the first time. She wound up qualifying for the state meet.
Leiby-McMahon is now hoping for similar success in gymnastics. And so far, she is thriving for Haslett United while competing in Division 1. The latest LSJ girls athlete of the week winner helped Haslett United finish as the runner-up at the Vassar Invite on Jan. 17.
At the Vassar meet, Leiby-McMahon finished as the all-around champion with a score of 34.975. She had season-high scores on vault (8.650), bars (7.925) and beam (9.525) during the performance.
“She’s a great addition to our team,” Haslett United coach Shera Emmons said. “She is a strong athlete. There are a lot of rule shifts that are different from club to high school so she’s adjusting to that.”
Some of the skills you can use are different between club and high school gymnastics. Leiby-McMahon has enjoyed that change, especially on bars, which she never enjoyed in club. Leiby-Mcmahon has fared better on bars this season and said she is more relaxed when competing.
“I would say I had fun (in club), but I overthought a lot of stuff,” Leiby-McMahon said. “Here it’s way easier to flow through and go through the movements.
“It’s definitely more lightweight. There isn’t as much pressure which I feel like makes me do better.”
Leiby-McMahon hopes to build off her success so far and earn another state finals trip this school year.
“I would just like to get top 10 at least (at the state meet),” Leiby-McMahon said. “That’s my goal.”
Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on X @brian_calloway and Bluesky @briancalloway.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Megan Leiby-McMahon making mark for Haslett United gymnastics
