MEQUON, Wis. – The Trine University acrobatics and tumbling team has advanced to the semifinal round of the 2024 NCATA Division III Tournament after defeating Buffalo State University by the score of 246.290 to 129.050. The score is the sixth best total for the program.
The Thunder immediately built a lead during the Compulsory Event outscoring the Bengals 33.375 to 22.425. That score is the fifth best for the program in the event. The team built that mark with a 8.825 in the acro heat, fourth best for the team, and a 9.525 in the toss heat, second best for the team. They also had a solid 9.425 in the pyramid heat.
Trine posted their third best showing in the Acro Event, building their lead with another win this time 26.650 to 23.575. The team had a second best showing in the third heat with a 9.40 and tied for fifth best in the second heat with an 8.80. They finished out with a solid 8.45 in the first heat.
The team finished off the first half with another win in the Pyramid Event with a score of 28.125 to 25.675. The Thunder had nines in all three heats, with their best score a 9.625 in the synchronized heat, the second best in program history. They had a 9.00 in the first heat and a 9.50 in the third. The third event victory made the score 88.15 to 71.68 heading into the intermission.
The Thunder continued to dominate in the second half, taking the Toss Event 26.175 to 21.300. That score is the second best ever for the team. They built that score with a new best in the open heat with a 9.0, a fourth best in the synchronized heat with an 8.35 and the sixth best in the 450 salto with an 8.825.
Trine added ten more points to their lead during the Tumbling Event with their fifth best showing of a 46.825. The team's best score came in the open pass with an 8.775, enough to tie for fifth in program history. They had a second best showing in the duo pass with an 8.475 and a third best in the quad pass with a 7.850. They also tied for fifth in the aerial pass with an 8.550.
The day finished in the team event where Buffalo State didn't compete, but the Thunder posted an 85.140 to complete their definitive victory.
Trine improves to 6-2 overall following the victory. They will face the hosts from Concordia University Wisconsin in the semifinals tomorrow, Friday, April 11 at 2 p.m. CT / 3 p.m. ET. This will be the third meeting between the two teams this season, with the Thunder taking the first two meetings.