BELTON, Texas – The Trine University acrobatics and tumbling team has advanced to the semifinal round of the 2023 NCATA Division III Tournament with a convincing 241.250-216.475 victory over Adrian College. The national event is hosted by the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.
The Thunder created a lead during the first event of the day, tacking the Compulsory portion of the competition by the score of 32.40 to 27.45. That total is one of the top-five in program history for Trine, and it was built on the back of a new record in the tumbling heat where they scored 7.25, a full point higher than the last best. They also turned in solid scores in the pyramid and toss heats with a 9.55 and 9.05 respectively.
Trine built on the lead during the Acro Event, taking it by just under six points with a 26.25. The total represents the third best showing in the event for team. They posted solid scores in each heat, but there best was in the "7 element" portion with a 9.05.
The Pyramid heat was the closest of the first half, with the Thunder winning by 1.35 points, but a new program record score of 28.95 was still enough. The impressive score was built off of three scores well over nine. The team posted new records in both the synchronized and open heats with 9.80 in each along with a solid 9.35 in the inversion heat.
The team had another close event out of halftime, outscoring the Bulldogs by just 0.90 with a score of 24.35 in the Toss Event. Trine's best score came in the first heat where they had an 8.45, the third best in program history.
The Tumbling Even also ended up tight with the Thunder winning 45.650 to 44.075. Trine posted top-five program performances in four of the six heats including the quad (7.4), aerial (8.4), 6 element (8.15) and open (8.6) passes. All told it was the fourth best Tumbling Event score for the team.
Trine secured their victory with an 83.65 in the Team Event, outscoring Adrian by over ten points.
The team will now face East Texas Baptist University, the winner of one of the other quarterfinal matches, in their semifinal match. That contest is scheduled for tomorrow, Friday, April 14 at 4 p.m. EDT / 3 p.m. CDT.