Byron gymnasts tumble past K-M/T

Byron’s girls gymnastics team stayed undefeated in the conference, with their win over Kasson-Mantorville/Triton, on Friday, February 2, with a score of 136.475 to KMT’s score of 124.95.
It was a meet with some ups and downs, but several of the Byron girls tried a few new things before going into the big meets at the end of the season.
The girls started the night out on bars. Jocie Halfman led the team, finishing second with a score of 7.825. Sydney Portner took fourth with a score of 7.525. Ella Ott took fifth with a score of 7.375, and Olivia O’Brien finished sixth with a score of 7.075. Lydia Evans rounded out the team in ninth place.
The girls redeemed themselves a bit on vault, where they took the top four spots. Sydney Portner took first with a score of 9.15. Norah Brown took second with an 8.95 and teammates Lydia Evans and Savannah Byron took third and fourth with scores of 8.925 and 8.875. Ella Ott rounded out the team in sixth place with a score of 8.5.
Next up for the girls was the floor. Lydia Evans led the team, taking first with a score of 9.125. Norah Brown, Olivia O’Brien and Sydney Portner took places third through fifth. Norah finished with a score of 8.825, Olivia had an 8.8 and Sydney had an 8.625. Savannah Byron rounded out the team with an 8.55 and finished sixth.
The girls finished the night on beam with some solid routines. Lydia Evans had a strong performance, taking first with a score of 9.3. Sydney Portner also had a solid routine, finishing second with a score of 9.05. Ella Ott had her best performance of the season and finished third with an 8.525, while teammate Norah Brown also finished tied with Ella, at 8.525. Olivia O’Brien rounded out the squad, taking sixth with a score of 7.85. In the All-Around, Sydney Portner earned the top spot, scoring 34.35 points, and Lydia Evans took second place with a score of 33.325. The team will be in Stewartville on Tuesday, February 6, to wrap up the regular season. The team returns to Kasson on Friday, February 9, for the conference championship meet.
On the Kasson-Mantorville/Triton side, K-M/T had a couple of its regular varsity gymnasts out, due to injury. Eleanor Smith (freshman) placed 3rd in the all-around (32.175), 3rd on bars (7.675), and 2nd on floor (8.975). Audrey Peterson (7th grader) placed 4th in the all — around. Alexie Awe (freshman) placed first on bars (7.95). The JV team score was a 104.65. Lyla Bailey (8th grade) placed 4th in the all — around.