The Seymour High School gymnastics team opened its season in defeat on Saturday morning, traveling to Columbus East and falling to the Olympians 106.1-101.5.

Even in defeat, Owls head coach Angie Mellencamp was proud of the team’s first effort on the season and had many positive takeaways.

“I am pleasantly surprised with the scores today. We do have several new kids who have a lot of potential, but it’s the beginning of the season and the skills just aren’t there yet to put into the routines,” Mellencamp said. “We need to get a baseline and that’s what we did today. We know what we can do with clean, semi-hit routines.”

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Leading the way for the Owls on the day was Avery DeHart, placing first in the vault (9.2) and balance beam (9.5) events while coming out on top in the all-around (36.05).

DeHart claimed third in both uneven bars (8.25) and floor exercise (9.10). DeHart was the only Owl to place in the top three in the days events, but had ties for fourth place by Nicole Elmore in the vault (8.6) and Lillie Cote in the floor exercise (8.40).

“(Avery) Dehart showed up today,” DeHart said. “And will probably lead the way most of the season. Brett Kleber today on bars pull off her giants which we have been working hard on in the gym and Elmore had a nice step beam routine,” Mellencamp said.