Dec. 2, 2010

WACO, Texas - Baylor's 19th varsity sport officially begins its inaugural season when Competitive Cheer hits the road for a pair of meets against National Collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling Association opponents this weekend.

Baylor opens against Fairmont State at Joe Retton Arena in Fairmont, W.V. at 5 p.m. CST Friday. The Bears then head to College Park, Md. to take on top-ranked Maryland at the Comcast Center Pavilion at noon Sunday.

The teams compete in six categories: Compulsories, Stunt Event, Pyramid Event, Basket Toss Event, Tumbling Event and Team Routine. Each event is head-to-head alternating between teams with real-time scoring and a running scoreboard.

The NCATA is the governing body for acrobatics and tumbling at the collegiate level, and NCATA events are sanctioned through USA Gymnastics.

Baylor's first home event is Jan. 23, when the Bears welcome second-ranked Oregon to the Ferrell Center.