"LaShawn inhaled deeply and leaned into her stretch. She would hold it for 90 seconds: a routine she followed before every competition. But this was the final county tournament. Was she ready? Were the countless backflips she did every morning at 5 a.m. for the past nine months going to pay off? Leaning out of the stretch, she stood and walked purposefully to the door of the gym."

In one to two sentences

, LaShawn mentally prepared herself for the competition, knowing that all her hard work and dedication would soon be put to the test in the final county tournament. As she pushed open the gym door, she was determined to give it her all and show everyone what she was capable of.