BELTON, Texas – The Trine University acrobatics and tumbling team battled through their semifinal match against East Texas Baptist University advancing to the championship of the 2023 NCATA Division III Tournament.
The two teams were separated by less than a point through the first five events of the contest, changing the lead a few times on the way to the final score of 243.075 to 241.880 in favor of the Thunder. The score represents the second-best performance by the team in its history.
The day began with the Compulsory Event where the Tigers took the slightest of leads built on their success in the acro heat. The finals score of the event was 33.05 to 32.90 in favor of ETBU. The score was still tied for third best in Trine's history, with new heat records in both the toss (9.45) and tumbling (7.45).
The Thunder tied the match by taking the Acro Event 25.25 to 25.10. Their best heat of the event came in the "7 element" where they scored a 9.30, tied for second best in program history.
Trine then took the slimmest of leads in the match following a tight victory in the Pyramid Event by the score of 28.50 to 28.40. The total was the third best for Trine and it was built on the backs of a new second best in the second heat (9.45) and a new best in the third heat (9.80). The team also scored a 9.25 in the first heat.
The contest went into halftime with Trine leading 86.65 to 86.55.
ETBU took back the lead during the Toss Event with a 25.95 to 25.35 score. Despite the loss the Thunder turned in a new best with the total score and top-five scores in each of the three heats. A new best was set in the second heat (8.30) and a new second best in the first heat (8.55). The third heat score was 8.5, tied for fourth best for the team.
The Tigers built on their lead in the Tumbling Event outscoring the Thunder 45.950 to 45.525. it was the fifth best performance in the event ever by Trine, built on solid but non-record-breaking performance in each heat. The lone heat to break a program top-five was in the aerial pass where they posted an 8.35.
Just 0.9 of a point separated the two teams heading into the Team Event, making it the deciding factor. Trine was up for the challenge posting their third best showing in the event ever and outscoring the opposition 85.55 to 83.43 to take the day.
Trine advances to the championship match of the 2023 national tournament with the win. They will face the events hosts and top-seeded University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. The bout is scheduled for 7 p.m. EDT / 6 p.m. CDT tomorrow, Saturday, April 14. Before the deciding match members of the team will compete in the event finals which are set to begin at 11 a.m. EDT / 10 a.m. CDT.