The top-ranked and three-time defending national champion Baylor acrobatics & tumbling team (9-0) defeated No. 8 Converse (4-5) in the National Collegiate Acrobatics & Tumbling Association (NCATA) National Championships quarterfinals. The Bears won 277.535-260.905 on Thursday afternoon at the Hammermill Center.
BU jumped out to a strong start, taking the compulsory event 38.15-34.225. The Bears added to their lead with a 29.425-27.325 win in acro. After Converse bounced back in the pyramid event with a 29.025-28.35 decision, Baylor held a 95.975-90.575 lead at the break.
The Bears started the second half with a 28.75-27.125 victory in the toss event and broke away again with a strong tumbling performance, winning 58.15-51.775. BU secured the result with a 94.66-91.43 edge in the team event.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Baylor is 10-0 at the NCATA National Championships under fourth-year head coach Felecia Mulkey.
• Baylor is now 39-1 under Mulkey.
• Baylor has now won its last 17 meets dating back to last season.
• Baylor set a season-high score with a 58.15 in the tumbling event.
• The Bears won five of six events: compulsory, acro, toss, tumbling and team.
STAT OF THE DAY
• The Bears have advanced to the NCATA semifinals in five straight seasons.
TOP QUOTE
“Today was a nice win and it was good to see us tumble well. That said, I know we can and will do better moving forward here at the championships. We made some adjustments and raised the start values in a few areas and I expect us to be even better tomorrow.” – Baylor head coach Felecia Mulkey
WHAT’S NEXT
The Bears will compete in the semifinal meet of the NCATA National Championships on Friday at 6 p.m. CT against the winner of the No. 4 Oregon-No. 5 Gannon meet.
