The Quinnipiac Acrobatics and Tumbling team took on the Gannon University Golden Knights Saturday, looking to secure an undefeated season in its regular season finale.
The Bobcats were coming off a victory on March 23, a 270.825-261.480 victory over the Iona Gaels. The Golden Knights were coming off a loss to No. 1 Baylor, losing only by three points.
To start the meet, the Bobcats would pull ahead of the Golden Knights as they took 38.2 out of a possible 40 for the Compulsory event. Gannon kept it close, however, putting up a 37.85. The open heat would see the Golden Knights strike back, putting up a 29.15 compared to Quinnipiac’s 29.05.
The pyramid event saw the Bobcats remain ahead, as they scored a 29.10 to Gannon’s 28.45. The Bobcats would enter the half up 96.35- 95.45. The meet would then start the second half with the toss event, and the Bobcats would not be able to string back-to-back event victories, as they would score a 28.60 to Gannon’s 28.95.
The Golden Knights would then strugged in the tumbling event, getting outscored by the Bobcats 57.75-56.625. The Bobcats were able to rebound after seeing mistakes during the toss event, while the Golden Knights struggled with landings during the Tumbling event.
The meet continued to be tight, as No. 2 and No. 3 teams in the National Collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling Association lived up to their rankings. In the team event, each team gave the audience at the M&T Bank Arena displays its great physical abilities, with the athletes combining all of the previous disciplines into captivating. performances.
To keep her team encouraged, Quinnipiac head coach Mary Ann Powers told her Bobcats prior to the event that, “They (Gannon) has nothing to lose, (so) you have to perform like you have nothing to lose.”
The Bobcats would prove to be too much for the Golden Knights, as they would score a 94.91 compared to Gannon’s 89.32. This would bring the final score of the meet to 277.610-270.345 in favor of Quinnipiac.
The Bobcats finished undefeated for the first time in program history.
“I don’t think I have any words for it,” Powers said. “I’m not surprised.”
The Bobcats also relied heavily on their seniors, 13 of which are on the roster this year.
“We call them the COVID kids,” Powers said about the senior class, referring to the two canceled seasons, 2020 and 2021.
“It was great to be a senior on the mat today.” said senior base and tumbler Farrah Chernov.
Chernov, along with her fellow seniors have been the backbone for the Bobcats, securing multiple national championships for the program.
Speaking of, the Bobcats now turn their attention to the national championship tournament in Fairmont, West Virginia.
Powers has one thing to say to the pressure of the national championships and current No.1 Baylor.
“Bring it on,” she said.
The Bobcats will be in Fairmont, West Virginia for the national championships from April 25-28.
