Byron gymnasts win final home meet

The Byron girls gymnastics team finished their final home meet of the season on Tuesday, January 23, with a win and their best score of the season. The girls outscored Austin and LaCrescent. Byron finished with a score of 139.525 to Austin’s score of 132.35 and LaCrescent’s score of 117.775.
The team got off to a great start, breaking the school vault record for the third time this season. Lydia Evans and Sydney Portner tied for second with strong vaults, scoring a 9.275. Norah Brown took fourth with a new PR of 9.15 and Savannah Byron took fifth with a new PR of 9.1. These four ladies finished with a combined team score of 36.8, which was almost a half-point higher than the previous record. Ella Ott rounded out the Varsity squad with a solid vault as well, finishing seventh with a score of 8.75.
Up next was the bars. The girls put together some nice performances, with Sydney Portner leading the way, taking first with a score of 8.45. Olivia O’Brien finished second with a new PR score of 8.4. Lydia Evans and Ella Ott took third and fourth respectively. Lydia finished with a score of 8.275 and Ella finished with a score of 7.8. Jocie Halfman rounded out the Varsity squad, finishing seventh with a score of 7.3. After two events the girls were off to a strong start.
Next up was the always challenging beam. Sydney Portner put together a nice beam routine, finishing first, with a score of 9.15. Norah Brown was able to stay on and finished third with a score of 8.45. Olivia O’Brien finished sixth with a score of 8.0 and Lydia Evans finished seventh with a score of 7.975. Ella Ott rounded out the team with a 7.85 and finished ninth.
As a team, beam was a little rough, but the girls bounced back on floor with some very strong performances. Lydia Evans led the way, taking first with a 9.475, and Sydney Portner finished second with a new PR score of 9.4. Savannah Byron had a PR performance as well, finishing fourth with a score of 8.85. Olivia O’Brien finished sixth overall and scored an 8.5. Norah Brown rounded out the team, finishing ninth with a score of 8.325.
In the all-around, Sydney Portner put together a very sold night, taking first with a score of 36.275, and Lydia Evans finished third in the all-around, with a score of 35.0.