By Caroline Lindstrom
Reporter

The acrobatics and tumbling team lost 280.2-274.38 to Oregon in their season opener on Thursday at Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Ore. The Bears finished 5.82 points behind Oregon, the three-time reining NCATA National Champions.

“This meet was a great start to our season and will be a good stepping-stone to get better and better,” head coach LaPrise Harris-Williams said.

The meet kicked off with the Ducks sliding away with the compulsory event 38.9 to 38.05. The Ducks continued their lead by taking the acro event 28.45 to 27.75. Before halftime the Ducks barley pulled away in the pyramid event with a score of 29.3 to Baylor’s 28.7.

Following halftime, the Ducks stretched their lead in the toss event 29.05 to 28.45. In the tumbling event, the Bear’s managed to win the duo and tie in the trio heat but were still outscored 57.1 to 56.69. In the team routine, the Ducks were able to pull away from the Bears, scoring 97.4 to Baylor’s 94.74.

Harris-Williams said the Bears held their own in the acro and tumbling events but had mistakes in the team routine that gave Oregon a chance to gain an advantage.

“The acro and tumbling events were outstanding so now we need to focus on the team events when we come together,” junior Bresha Pierce said.
An injury before the meet, led to freshman Alexa Crumpton competing in Britta Pierce’s place. Harris-Williams said replacements cause the team to be thrown off but the Bears were still fighters.

“This meet helped our confidence because we performed really well and we just have little things to fix,” freshman Kiara Nowlin said. “The little things are a lot easier than fixing big skills so we will be prepared for our next meet.”

Harris-Williams said the Bears are looking forward to getting better at each meet this season. Pierce added that it would be better to peak in the middle of the season when the team is headed into nationals in late April.

The Bears next meet is against Quinnipiac on Feb. 23 in Hamden, Conn.