MEQUON, Wis. – The Trine University acrobatics and tumbling team advanced to their second straight NCATA Division III Tournament championship match after defeating the event hosts from Concordia University Wisconsin by the score of 250.765 to 228.255. It is the first time in program history that the team has scored more than 250 points in a match.
The Thunder started the day with their fifth best showing in the Compulsory Event, scoring 33.75 to the Falcons 32.60. Their best showing came in the toss heat where they had the fifth best score in program history with a 9.475. They had sixth best showings in both the acro heat with an 8.675 and the pyramid heat with a 9.60.
The team continued their record-breaking pace with their third best showing ever in the Acro Event, outscoring the opposition 26.725 to 23.875. Their best score came in the 7-element heat where they posted a 9.175 while their score of 8.85 in the 6-element heat was tied for fourth best in program history.
Trine also had a third best showing in the Pyramid Event, scoring 28.60 points and just beating Concordia Wisconsin who scored 27.95. Trine had a massive 9.8 in the open heat, sixth best in their history, for the best score of the event. They also turned in over nine in both the first heat with 9.35, also sixth, and in the synchronized heat with 9.45. The team took a lead of 89.075 to 84.425 into the intermission.
The Thunder had their best ever performance in the Toss Event to open the second half, but would come up just short of the Falcons by the score of 26.925 to 26.525. Trine had a new top score in the open heat with a 9.05. They had a second best showing in the synchronized heat with an 8.55 and a third best in the 450 salto with an 8.925.
A second best showing in the Tumbling Event posted another win for the team, this time by the score of 48.325 to 45.225. Trine had second best scores in the quad pass (7.975) and in the open pass (8.95). they had top five showings in the duo (8.25) and aerial (8.625) passes.
Trine pulled away during the final Team Event with their sixth-best showing ever 86.84. Concordia Wisconsin scored 71.68.
The Thunder improve to 7-2 overall following the victory. They will take on top-seeded University of Mary Hardin-Baylor tomorrow, Saturday, April 13 at 10 a.m. CT / 11 a.m. ET in the championship match. Later in the evening the members of the team will also compete in the Event Finals, starting at 7 p.m.
