By Elisabeth Tharp | Broadcast Reporter
The No. 1 and three-time defending national champions Baylor acrobatics & tumbling team (4-0) took down No. 2 Oregon Ducks (2-1), 284.725-280.830 Saturday night inside the Ferrell Center.
The Bears and Ducks both got off to strong starts in the compulsory event, with the Bears holding a 39.40-39.20 lead. The Bears took the acro and pyramid events to take a 98.85-97.40 lead into halftime.
“They did some things better than they’ve done all season,” said head coach Felecia Mulkey. “I’m proud of our compulsory event. In our pyramid event we actually did good in all our streaks. So far, this year, we’re getting there.”
In the second half, the Bears tied the Ducks in the toss event, 29.35-29.35, before the Bears won the tumbling event, 57.725-55.550. In the final event, the Bears solidified their victory with a 100.78-97.53 win in the team event, bringing the final score to 284.725-280.830.
“This was by far our best meet. We have so much room for improvement, but I’m really proud of what they did today,” Mulkey said. “I think our team knows that. They’re hungry and we’ll get back to work on Monday, but this was definitely one of the better meets.”
A team of 11 Bears scored a 10.0 in heat three of the compulsory event, the first 10.0 for the Bears this season. Along with junior top/base Kaylee Adams scoring a 9.95 on her six element pass of the tumbling event, the Bears were able to stay on top and win the meet.
“The Oregon Ducks are an incredible team,” Adams said. “Of course, going against an amazing team, it makes us strive to want to be better. We always go up against ourselves as well.”
The attendance total of 2,346 fans broke a Baylor and NCATA record.
“The crowd was fantastic. It was electric,” Mulkey said. “I think whoever runs the facility did a great job keeping it going. The fans were all the way up to the rafters. It was awesome.”
“It’s always incredible to have so many fans come out. Their cheering gives us motivation,” Adams said. “To have that behind us is incredible, I love having a big crowd.”
Baylor will be traveling to Spartanburg, S.C., for a matchup against the Converse Valkyries (2-0) at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 7. The Bears will then host Fairmont State at 7:30 p.m. on March 12 inside the Ferrell Center.
