Byron gymnasts win 3rd straight conference title

The Byron girls gymnastics team finished with an undefeated conference record and wrapped it up this past Friday, by winning their third straight conference title. Byron finished with a team score of 138.45. PIZM finished second with a score of 133.275 and KMT finished third with a score of 132.7. Caledonia, Stewartville and La Crescent finished out the places.

Congratulations to Lydia Evans, Savannah Byron, Ella Ott, Sydney Portner, Olivia O’Brien and Norah Brown, on earning all-conference honors.

The Lady Bears started their day on beam. Sydney Portner had a solid routine and finished as the conference champion, scoring an 8.875. Ella Ott had her best routine of the season, finishing third with a score of 8.6. Lydia Evans finished seventh with a score of 8.3, and Norah Brown rounded out the top four for the team with a score of 8.075, finishing ninth. Olivia O’Brien rounded out the group, finishing eleventh with a score of 7.975.

Up next was the floor and the girls brought it. Sydney Portner finished as the floor champion with a very strong performance, scoring a 9.4. Lydia Evans also put together another strong performance, finishing third with a score of 9.35. Olivia O’Brien set a new PR with a great routine, finishing sixth with a 9.15. Savannah Byron also had another strong routine, finishing eighth with a score of 8.825. Norah Brown rounded out the team with a score of 8.35. The team score of 36.725 was the best on the season.

After a great performance on the floor, the girls moved onto the vault. The girls did not let up. Sydney Portner finished with her third event win, scoring a 9.325 to take first. Lydia Evans nailed her vault, finishing second with a 9.25. Norah Brown had a great vault, finishing third with an 8.975. Teammate Savannah Byron finished close behind, with a very nice vault finishing fourth with a score of 8.725. Ella Ott rounded out the team with a seventh-place finish and a score of 8.575.

The team finished the day on bars. Lydia Evans led the team, finishing tied for second with a score of 8.05. Olivia O’Brien finished tied for third with a score of 8.025, and Sydney Portner finished fifth with a score of 7.85. Jocie Halfman finished eighth with a score of 7.675. Ella Ott rounded out the team with a score of 7.4 and finished eleventh.

In the all-around Sydney Portner earned the top spot as the all-around champion, with a score of 35.45. Teammate Lydia Evans finished second in the all-around, with a score of 34.95.

Up next is the section 1A championship meet on Saturday, February 17, at John Marshall in Rochester.