By Caroline Lindstrom
Reporter
The Baylor acrobatics and tumbling team ended its season with a loss to the Oregon Ducks in the semifinals of the NCATA National Championships at the Felix Event Center in Azusa, Calif.
“That was our best meet to that date, and our seniors did a great job of lifting everyone’s spirits and keeping focused,” head coach LaPrise Harris-Williams said.
The Ducks started the meet taking the compulsory event 38.95 to 38.50. Oregon then won the acro event, 29.35 to 28.85. Oregon’s lead expanded after a win in the pyramid event, 29.95 to 29.50. The Ducks held the advantage at halftime 98.25 to 96.95.
The Bears fell further in the toss event, losing 29.40-29.20. Freshman Kiara Nowlin scored a perfect 10 in the six-element pass of the tumbling event, but it was not enough for the Bears as they fell 58.450 to 58.175. Oregon continued its dominance in the team routine, winning the meet 286.600 to 280.295.
“Oregon was flawless that night, which helped our girls rise-up to the competition,” Harris-Williams said. “We were neck and neck for a long time, and held our own for most of the meet.”
Nowlin won the Bears only individual event title in the six-element of the tumbling event. She became the programs eighth individual champion. Senior Lori Williamson was named to the NCATA 2014 All-American team, comprised of 12 athletes from the varying schools.
“Kiara is a fantastic tumbler and worked so hard that pass, so her title is well deserved,” Harris-Williams said.
Harris-Williams said the team would spend the offseason rehabbing and conditioning. She said the women are excited for the new freshman class, which possesses comparable skills and talents to where the team is competing at now.
“We will go back to the drawing board with the freshman, so I am excited for the new ideas we will come up with together,” Harris-Williams said.
