Baylor
Quinnipiac
A&T Prevails in Season Opener
2/14/2016 12:00:00 AM | Acrobatics & Tumbling
THE RUNDOWN
In its season opening National Collegiate Acrobatics & Tumbling Association (NCATA) competition, the top-ranked and defending national champion Baylor Acrobatics & Tumbling team defeated the fifth-ranked Quinnipiac Bobcats, 286.960-278.775, in Hamden, Conn., Sunday afternoon.
The Bears were challenged in the first half of the meet, losing the compulsories 38.50-38.40. BU bounced back to win the acro event, 67.75-66.95. The Bears were edged by the Bobcats in the pyramid event (29.80-29.75) but held on to the lead 97.5-96.75 going into the break. In the second half, the Bears excelled in the toss event, 126.90-125.85. BU extended its lead in the tumbling event to 185.25-181.375.
In the final event of the meet, the team routine, Baylor came out strong with a 101.71-97.40 margin, to seal the victory.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The Bears won four of six events: acro, toss, tumbling and the team routine.
- The team of Allie Alaman, Toni Bronisevsky, Ceara Gray, Shayla Kelley and Taylor Watson posted an impressive 9.9 in heat 3 of the toss.
- Lauren Sturm posted a strong 9.93 in the open pass of the tumbling event.
- The team of Kiara Nowlin, Lauren Sturm, Allie Alaman, Ceara Gray, Sydney Evans, Toni Bronisevsky, Jena Fisher, Kaelyn Cowan, Kelci Ortiz, Mikea Knox and Shayla Kelley scored a perfect 10 in the toss heat of the compulsory event.
STAT OF THE DAY
Kiara Nowlin came away with a perfect 10 in the six element of the tumbling event.
TOP QUOTE
"It feels good to have the first one under our belt. The team performed okay, but we are not satisfied," said head coach Felecia Mulkey. "We have some room for improvement. We will work this week to clean some things and increase our start values before next Sunday."
WHAT'S NEXT
The Bears will head back to Waco for their home opener as they host Oregon, a rematch of the 2015 NCATA national championship. The meet will take place on Sunday, Feb. 21, at 1:00 p.m. (CT) at the Ferrell Center.
Follow @BaylorAcroTumb on Twitter for updates throughout the season.
