SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – No. 3 Quinnipiac and No. 2 Oregon advanced in Thursday’s afternoon session of the 2025 National Collegiate Acrobatics & Tumbling Championship quarterfinals to set up Friday first semifinal, which is set for 4:30 p.m. CT from the Elmen Center in Sioux Falls.
#3 Quinnipiac def. #6 Iona, 263.545-255.875
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QU |
IONA
By Quinnipiac Athletics Communications
The No. 3 Quinnipiac acrobatics and tumbling program knocked off No. 6 Iona in the quarterfinal round of the 2025 NCATA National Championships, held at Augustana University in Sioux Falls. The Bobcats will move into Friday evening's semifinal bout after a 263.545-255.875 victory, surviving a second-half push from the Gaels.
Quinnipiac came out strong, establishing a 4.475-point lead after the first two events and they were able to hold their distance the rest of the way.
HIGHLIGHTS
Compulsory Pyramid and Toss set the tone for the meet, with both heats scoring a 9.80 or better.
All three pyramid heats scored a 9.75 or better, with the open heat leading the group and finishing the event with a 9.85 score.
Gabriella Pierce (QU) was strong again in the six-element tumbling pass, scoring a 9.75 as the highest score of the event for either team.
Quinnipiac won all but one event in the meet, with Iona coming away with the win in tumbling, 54.075-53.150. The final margin was less than a point in the pyramid (29.350-28.450) and toss (28.350-28.250) events, both wins for the Bobcats.
#2 Oregon def. #7 UMHB, 270.855-252.180
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OREGON |
UMHB
By Oregon Athletics Communications
The Oregon acrobatics and tumbling team opened competition at the NCATA National Championships with a bang, beating No. 7 Mary Hardin-Baylor, 270.855-252.180, at Elmen Center on Thursday.
The Ducks (6-2) got off to a hot start to build an early lead and dominated the second half to advance to Friday's semifinal round.
Oregon won all six events against the Crusaders (7-4) and dropped only two heats throughout the meet, with UO coming out ahead in all 10 second-half heats. The Ducks continued to shine in the pyramid event, with UO's highest mark of the day coming in the open pyramid.
The Ducks will compete in the first semifinal meet on Friday against third-seeded Quinnipiac, who Oregon narrowly beat earlier this season.
How It Happened: The Ducks jumped out to an early 37.425-36.100 lead thanks to a strong start in the compulsory event. The Ducks outpointed the Crusaders in all four heats, led by a 9.775 in pyramid.
UO extended its lead in the acro event with 28.050. Competing in their first NCATA Championships, Angelica Martin and Cassidy Cu led off the event with a 9.800 in five element. Bella Swarthout and Bethany Glick closed the event with a 9.750 in their seven-element heat.
The Ducks extended their lead heading into the halftime break with a stellar 29.325 in pyramid. Open pyramid continued to be Oregon's strongest heat as the lineup of Swarthout, Blessyn McMorris, Brylie Hoover, Emily Rezner and Selah Bell earned a 9.950. UO also logged a 9.875 in the inversion pyramid to build a 94.800-92.525 edge at the midway point.
The Ducks shined in the toss, outpointing UMHB in the event, 28.400-26.950. Oregon was strongest in the 450 salto toss, earning a 9.525.
Oregon dominated in tumbling, outgaining the Cru 56.625-48.325. Riley Watson led the charge with a 9.850 in her six-element pass, while freshman Briya Alvarado and Morgan Willingham went 9.775 and 9.700, respectively, in their first solo passes at a championship meet.
The Ducks held a double-digit lead heading into team event. Though the execution was not perfect, Oregon was able to score a 91.030, besting the Crusaders' 84.380 to clinch the win and advance to Friday's semifinal round.