Acrobatics and Tumbling drops pair of non-conference matchups

Acrobatics and Tumbling drops pair of non-conference matchups

The nationally ranked West Liberty University (WLU) Acrobatics and Tumbling team has fallen in two difficult matches against King University (Tennessee) and Gannon University. Despite these unfortunate setbacks, the black and gold are primed and ready to face a familiar Mountain East Conference foe in Fairmont State University.

On March 8, 2022, West Liberty traveled to Bristol, Tennessee to face the King Tornadoes, in what had geared up to be a nationally ranked acrobatics and tumbling event. Going into the event, West Liberty was a perfect 4-0, as the Tornadoes were strong on their end as well. West Liberty and King were battling rather difficulty throughout much of the beginning of the contest, as King took a 94.90- 92.85 lead into half.

In what appeared to potentially be another hard fought half, West Liberty found themselves stumbling to overtake King, and ultimately failing to make up any ground, eventually letting the contest slip away with them and losing by the final of 263.995-259.210.

Following their loss to King, West Liberty traveled to Erie, Pa. to take on Gannon University in yet another nationally ranked acrobatics and tumbling match. Gannon, who ranks sixth in the nation across both Division I and II, stumbled out of the gate against the Lady Hilltoppers, finding themselves down by the score of 93.35-88.05 at half.

For West Liberty, there was a lot of jump throughout the team given the impact of this contest in particular. However, this lead would soon vanish and unfortunate mistakes would plague the Hilltoppers and allow Gannon to claw their way back in the biggest of ways.

The resume of wins Gannon has built is absolutely mind boggling, to say the least, with victories over the likes of the University of Oregon, Quinnipiac University, Hawaii Pacific University, and Fairmont State University, all ranked top ten nationally. Comfortable victories in the toss event as well as the tumbling event were beneficial for the team, but it was ultimately the separation in the team event that was the dagger to the black and gold, sending the Hilltoppers back to West Liberty.

These two matchups were not conference contests, which allows the Hilltoppers to regroup and set their sights on their next few matchups against Fairmont State University, Frostburg University and the eventual Mountain East Conference Championships. From there, West Liberty travels to Eugene, Oregon for the NCATA Championships. It will be exciting to see the conclusion of the Acrobatics and Tumbling season for the Lady Hilltoppers, with most of the fanbase thinking the same.

WLU Acro & Tumbling Upcoming Schedule

March 27 @ Fairmont State

April 2 vs. Frostburg State

April 8-9 MEC Semifinal Round

April 9 MEC Championships

It was a tough week for West Liberty Acro & Tumbling as they dropped matches against King and Gannon.

Photo Credits: Hilltopper Sports