Byron gymnastics team heading to State!

ROCHESTER — On Saturday, February 17, and in dramatic fashion, the scrappy Byron girls gymnastics team earned its spot in the Section 1, Class 1A state tournament. For the team, it came down to the last event, with Byron edging out Winona by just over three-tenths of a point. The Lady Bears finished with a team total of 138.975, just ahead of the Winhawks’ score of 138.6, at Rochester John Marshall High School.
The Byron gymnastics girls journey to the state tournament as a team this coming weekend. Lydia Evans, Sydney Portner and Norah Brown also advance in the individuals portion of the competition. Austin finished third with a score of 136.65, followed by PIZM — 135.825, KMT — 133.225, Caledonia — 128.975, LaCrescent — 117.075 and Stewartville — 112.
The Lady Bears started the night on beam and struggled a bit. The team had to count a couple of falls and some missed connections. Lydia Evans finished eighth with a score of 8.6 and teammate Sydney Portner finished ninth with a score of 8.525. Norah Brown finished with a score of 8.3 and Olivia O’Brien finished with a score of 7.85. Ella Ott rounded out the team with a score of 7.475.
The girls had their work cut out for them after beam and it started with floor. On floor, Lydia Evans had a very nice routine, finishing as the Section champion with a score of 9.3. Sydney Portner also had a strong routine, finishing third with a score of 9.125. Norah Brown and Olivia O’Brien did very well; with Norah finishing ninth, at 8.95 and Olivia finishing eleventh with a score of 8.925. Savannah Byron rounded out the team with a score of 7.875.
After having a solid performance on floor, the girls moved onto vault. The girls brought it on vault, sweeping the top three places. Sydney Portner finished as the Section champion with her score of 9.375. Lydia Evans and Norah Brown finished second and third. Lydia Scored a 9.35 and Norah finished with a score of 9.225. Savannah Byron finished tied for twelfth with a score of 8.85. Ella Ott scored well, finishing with a tally of 8.725.
All that the girls had left was bars and it was vital to have a solid showing. The team was led by Olivia O’Brien and Sydney Portner, as they tied for fifth with a score of 8.25. Lydia Evans finished just behind them with a score of 8.2. Jocie Halfman had another solid, consistent routine, finishing twelfth with a score of 7.9. Norah Brown rounded out the team with a score of 7.375. In the All-Around, Lydia Evans finished as the Section champion with a score of 35.45 and teammate Sydney Portner finished as the runner up with a score of 35.275. Norah Brown finished sixth with a score of 33.85. The team (Lydia Evans, Jocie Halfman, Savannah Byron, Ella Ott, Ava Mertesdorf, Sydney Portner, Olivia O’Brien & Norah Brown) will compete on Friday, February 23, and Lydia, Sydney and Norah will compete in the individual competition on Saturday, February 24. Lydia and Sydney will be competing in the all-around and Norah will compete on vault.