FAIRMONT, W.Va. – No. 1 Baylor acrobatics & tumbling defeated No. 3 Gannon on Saturday at Joe Retton Arena, 272.220 to 269.315, in the Finals of the 2024 NCATA National Championship.
 
The Bears (10-0) earned their ninth-straight NCATA title by beating the Knights (8-4) by 2.905 points for the win. This was the second time of the season the teams have faced each other, BU with the margin of victory at 6.065 points. 
 
BU increased its winning streak to 37 meets, dating back to March 27, 2021. 
 
THE RUNDOWN
Starting off the meet, Baylor had a Compulsory score of 38.275. A score of 9.625 was garnered in Acro, 9.800 in Pyramid, 9.925 in Toss and an 8.925 in Tumbling. Headed into the second event, BU was up 0.425 points to Gannon's 37.85 score. 
 
Moving into the optional portion of the meet, Baylor had a score of 9.90 in Heat 1 (5-Element), 9.875 in Heat 2 (6-Element) and 9.975 in Heat 3 (7-Element) of Acro to total 29.60 for the event. The Knights had scores of 9.875, 9.475and 9.825 respectively, for a total of 29.175. Going into the Pyramid event, BU was up 67.875 to Gannon's 67.025. 
 
In the Pyramid event, the Bears earned a 9.975 in Heat 1, the inversion heat. In heat two, BU earned a 9.725, the synchronized heat. In heat three, the open heat, the Bears scored 9.825. With the event scoring a 29.525, the running total was updated to 97.40 for Baylor. Gannon totaled 29.35 for the event and had a score of 96.375 going into halftime, the Bears up by 1.025 points.
 
In the Toss Event, Baylor had scores of 9.850, 9.575 and 9.625, respectively, to total 29.050 for the event. The Knightsscored a 9.575, 9.525 and 9.70, respectively, to total 28.80. Going into the fifth event, Tumbling, the Bears were up 126.450 to GU's 125.175.
 
In the Tumbling Event, Heat 1 (Duo) with Emily Bott (FR) and Kristen McCain (SR) scored a 9.40. In the Trio Heat (Heat 2), Payton Washington (FR), Aliyah Kaloostian (JR) and Alyiah Thomas (SO) scored a 9.35, compared to Gannon's 8.65. The Quad Pass (Heat 3) had Ally Joswick (SR), Gabby Kaminski (FR), Rakel Jeffries (JR) and Dailyn Hopkins (FR) score an 8.800. The Aerial pass from Savanna Cecil (FR) earned a 9.875, Bott in the 6 Element pass (Heat 5) had a 9.675 score, and Washington in the Open pass (Heat 6) earned a 9.90. The Bears' total came to 57.00 for the event, while the Knights scored a 55.05. Going into the night's final event, BU was up 183.450 to 180.225 from Gannon. Baylor entered the team event up by 1.95 points on GU.
 
In the Team event, Baylor earned a score of 88.770 while the Knights earned a 89.09, bringing the meet score to a total 272.220 to 269.315, BU taking the win. 
 
HIGHLIGHTS

• Baylor extends its win streak to 37 meets in a row, dating back to 2021.
• The Bears extend their national championship win streak to nine in a row.
• BU outscored Gannon by 2.905 points.
• The Bears earned 17 scores of 9.0 or higher. 
• Baylor dropped just four heats to the Knights.
• Meet was highlighted by 9.975 scores in Pyramid Heat 1 (for the second night in a row) and a 9.975 in acro heat 3.
   

UP NEXT
The Bears will compete in every event final on Sunday starting at 10 a.m. CT.
 
To stay up to date all year long on all things Baylor acrobatics & tumbling, follow the team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @BaylorAcroTumb.