By Thomas Mott | Reporter
The 4-1 Baylor Acrobatics and Tumbling Team defeated the visiting 5-0 Oregon Ducks 289.745-286.050 Sunday afternoon in the Ferrell Center for Baylor’s final home meet of season.
On a day when the fans were asked to wear black in support of the Bears the Ferrell Center was electric as hundreds came out to witness the two best acro teams in the nation face off once again.
Right out of the gate both teams were on point in the Compulsory round. The two teams were separated by just .20 points as the Ducks took the first round and the opening lead 38.55-38.75.
Baylor had not lost to their biggest rival Oregon in 3 years until the teams met earlier this season in Eugene where the Bears fell to the ducks 277.900-285.025 giving them their first and only loss this season.
Senior Kaelyn Cowan noticed a big difference in her team’s mindset this time around against the Ducks.
“We had a completely different mindset today. We came in super confident. We are just starting to get into that strive we have,” said Cowan.
Heading into the Acro Round, Baylor showed off one of their strengths and took the round 29.55-29.15 claiming their first lead of the meet 68.10-67.90.
The Pyramid Round capped off the first half and once again the Bears were able to stretch their legs and take the round 29.55-29.40. Baylor now held a narrow 97.65-97.30 lead going into halftime.
After last week’s win over Gannon, Baylor Head Coach Felecia Mulkey said her team was very close to peaking. Today Mulkey said her team still showed room for improvement.
“Oh no, nowhere near peaking today… this isn’t our peak. I’m excited to see what happens at the championship,” said Mulkey
An Oregon slip up during the second heat of the Toss Round, coupled with three strong Baylor tosses, gave the Bears the round 29.00-28.90 and cushioned their slight lead to 126.65-126.20.
There are few schools that can compete with Baylor in the tumbling event. Oregon is one of if not the only team that can. However, once again the Bears came out on top claiming the first and only perfect 10 of the meet giving Baylor the 58.325-57.100 win and an overall score of 184.975-183.300 going into the Team Event.
“I am so proud of them. They just went after it. There is no other team I would rather be a part of than this one,” said Head Coach Felecia Mulkey
Oregon’s only hope was a Baylor slip up in the Team Event however the Bears jumped and flipped their way to a 104.770-102.750 round win and a 289.745-286.050 overall victory.
With one final regular season meet before the NCATA National Championships in California, Cowan still expects her team to get better over the coming weeks.
“Just getting back into the gym and practicing where we had a few errors. We still have more places where we can grab points. We have so much room to improve,” said Cowan.
Baylor will next travel and take on Azusa Pacific at 8:30 p.m. on April 11 in Azusa California.
“We had a completely different mindset today. We came in super confident. We are just starting to get into that strive we have.” Cowan
