#3 Gannon def. #2 Quinnipiac, 266.615-265.315
Scoresheet | Press Conference

By Jeff Kirik, Gannon Athletics Media Relations
FAIRMONT, W.Va. – Gannon is heading back to the NCATA national championship!

The No. 3-seeded GU acrobatics and tumbling team edged No. 2 Quinnipiac 266.615-265.315 in the National Collegiate Acrobatics & Tumbling Association semifinals on Friday evening at Fairmont State University's Feaster Center.

Coach Brandy Duren's Golden Knights will advance to the NCATA championship meet on Saturday at 5 p.m. against the No. 1 Baylor, which defeated No. 4 Oregon 268.335-260.470. Baylor is the eight-time defending national champion.

This is the second time in the 10-year history of Gannon's A&T program that the Golden Knights will compete in the NCATA finals. It's also the second time in three years. Gannon advanced to the NCATA championship meet in 2022 when it faced Baylor. The Bears won their seventh title in a row that season.
 
Gannon's victory over Quinnipiac ended a two-meet losing streak against the Bobcats. Quinnipiac eliminated Gannon in the 2023 NCATA quarterfinals and beat the Golden Knights in their 2024 regular-season finale.
 
Gannon's record improved to 8-2 while Quinnipiac suffered its only loss of the season as it dropped to 7-1.

One of the most intriguing notes about Gannon's historic win on Friday is that Gannon never led against Quinnipiac until the final score was posted. The Golden Knights showed the persistence to stay close to the Bobcats throughout the meet before surging ahead during the final event – the all-important Team Event.
 
Quinnipiac took an early 37.600-37.300 lead in the Compulsory event and increased the lead to 66.350-65.850 in the Acro event.
 
Gannon won the Pyramid event 28.975-28.875 as Quinnipiac led at the half by a score of 95.225-94.825.
 
The meet's score remained extremely close as the Bobcats edged the Knights 28.550-28.450 in the Toss to maintain a 123.775-123.275 lead through four events.
 
Then came the Tumbling, an event where Quinnipiac has been traditionally strong. The Bobcats outscored the Knights 55.950-55.050 in the event to take a 179.725-178.325 advantage going into the Team event.
 
That's when Gannon surged to victory. The Golden Knights posted a score of 88.290 while the Bobcats finished with 85.590. That provided Gannon with its winning margin.


#1 Baylor def. #4 Oregon, 267.995-260.470
Scoresheet | Press Conference

By Madelon Allen, Baylor Athletics
FAIRMONT, W.Va. – No. 1 Baylor acrobatics & tumbling downed No. 4 Oregon on Friday night at Joe Retton Arena, 267.995 to 260.470, in the Semifinals of the 2024 NCATA National Championship.

The Bears (10-0) beat the Ducks (4-4) by 7.525 points for the win. This was the third meeting of the season between the two teams, having competed in Waco on February 25 and in Eugene on April 5, Baylor winning all three. 

BU increased its winning streak to 36 meets, dating back to March 27, 2021.

THE RUNDOWN

Starting off the meet, Baylor had a Compulsory score of 38.125. A score of 9.65 was garnered in Acro, 9.775 in Pyramid, 9.80 in Toss and an 8.90 in Tumbling. Headed into the second event, BU was up 0.85 points to Oregon’s 37.275 score.

Moving into the optional portion of the meet, Baylor had a score of 9.875 in Heat 1 (5-Element), 9.550 in Heat 2 (6-Element) and 9.850 in Heat 3 (7-Element) of Acro to total 29.275 for the event. The Ducks had scores of 9.625, 9.075 and 9.575 respectively, for a total of 28.275. Going into the Pyramid event, BU was up 67.40 to Oregon’s 65.55.

In the Pyramid event, the Bears earned a 9.975 in Heat 1, the inversion heat. In heat two, BU earned a 9.65, the synchronized heat. In heat three, the open heat, the Bears scored 9.825. With the event scoring a 29.45, the running total was updated to 96.85 for Baylor. Oregon totaled 28.55 for the event and had a score of 94.10 going into halftime, the Bears up by 2.75 points.

In the Toss Event, Baylor had scores of 9.825, 9.500 and 9.650, respectively, to total 28.975 for the event. The Ducks scored an 8.875, 8.750 and 9.575, respectively, to total 27.200. Going into the fifth event, Tumbling, the Bears were up 125.825 to UO’s 121.300.

In the Tumbling Event, Heat 1 (Duo) with Emily Bott (FR) and Kristen McCain (SR) scored a 9.275. In the Trio Heat (Heat 2), Payton Washington (FR), Aliyah Kaloostian (JR) and Alyiah Thomas (SO) scored an 9.275, compared to Oregon’s 8.75. The Quad Pass (Heat 3) had Ally Joswick (SR), Gabby Kaminski (FR), Rakel Jeffries (JR) and Dailyn Hopkins (FR) score an 8.95. The Aerial pass from Savanna Cecil (FR) earned a 9.875, Bott in the 6 Element pass (Heat 5) had a 9.725 score, and Washington in the Open pass (Heat 6) earned a 9.85 while UO had a 9.725. The Bears’ total came to 56.95 for the event, while the Ducks scored a 55.15. Going into the night's final event, BU was up 182.775 to 176.450 from Oregon. 

In the Team event, Baylor earned a score of 85.220 while the Ducks earned a 84.020, bringing the meet score to a total 267.995 to 260.470, BU taking the win.