The National Collegiate Acrobatics & Tumbling Association (NCATA) today announced its preseason coaches’ poll for the 2023 season, following a vote of the association’s head coaches. The 2023 NCATA season gets underway this weekend with two meets on Saturday and one meet on Sunday.
Defending national champion Baylor University received 32 of the 33 first-place votes and sits atop the rankings with 494 points. Under head coach Felecia Mulkey, Baylor has won seven-consecutive national titles – most recently in 2022 when the Bears topped Gannon 273.685-268.965 in Eugene in the finals.
Gannon received the final first-place vote and racked up 435 points during preseason voting to take the second spot in the rankings. The Knights return an experienced roster from its 2022 national runner-up finish, but will be under near leadership with first-year head coach Brandy Duren taking over the program in 2023.
Azusa Pacific (417), Quinnipiac (401) and Oregon (378) rounded out the top five in the preseason poll. APU and Quinnipiac made semifinal appearances in last spring’s NCATA National Championship tournament, while Oregon was knocked-off in the quarterfinals as the tournament’s five seed.
Following national tournament bids in 2022, Limestone (338), Fairmont State (280) and Converse (229) took spots six through eight, respectively, in the preseason rankings. Hawaii Pacific (179) and Belmont Abbey (156) rounded out the top 10 entering the 2023 season.
The final five spots in the 2023 NCATA Preseason Coaches’ Poll featured King University (132), Frostburg State (111), Coker College (94), Presbyterian (86) and West Liberty (62).
The NCATA season gets underway on Saturday (Feb. 4) with Limestone hosting Gannon at 10 a.m. and first-year program Augustana (S.D.) hosting Oregon at 2 p.m. Action continues on Sunday at 3 p.m. when West Liberty travels to Baylor to face the defending national champions.
National Collegiate Acrobatics & Tumbling Association
2023 Preseason Coaches’ Poll
1. Baylor (32) - 494
2. Gannon (1) - 435
3. Azusa Pacific - 417
4. Quinnipiac - 401
5. Oregon - 378
6. Limestone - 338
7. Fairmont State - 280
8. Converse - 229
9. Hawaii Pacific - 179
10. Belmont Abbey - 156
11. King - 132
12. Frostburg State - 111
13. Coker - 94
14. Presbyterian - 86
15. West Liberty - 62
( ) – First-place votes