FLORENCE, SC – Francis Marion University acrobatics and tumbling team set a new program record for a high score in a 235.300-98.800 victory over Newberry College in the final home meet of the season on Sunday (Mar. 23) evening.
The Patriots will travel to Bristol, Tenn., to compete in a road meet against King University on Friday, March 28, at 6 p.m. to conclude its regular season.
Event 1 – Compulsory
Francis Marion tallied a total of 33.650 out of a possible 40 points. Heats Two (Pyramid) and Three (Toss) recorded the best scores for Francis Marion with Heat One scoring 9.10 points and Heat Two scoring 9.55 points.
The Patriot led the Wolves 33.650-14.250 after the completion of Compulsory.
Event 2 – Acro
The three heats of Acro (5 element, 6 element, and 7 element) accumulated 22.95 out of a possible 28.75 points. Sophomore base
Hailey Gaither, junior top
Alexandria Mitchell, sophomore base
Alyssa-Naomi Pippins, and freshman base
Mia Trotta all competed for Heat One (5 element).
Francis Marion widened its lead to 56.600-32.500.
Event 3 – Pyramid
Francis Marion listed 24.950 out of 29.30 points during Pyramid. In heat one (inversion), the Patriots scored 8.80 points, while in heat two they scored another 8.40 out of 9.50 points.
The Wolves scored 22.500 out of 27.400 during the three heats as FMU led 81.550-55.300 entering halftime.
Event 4 – Toss
Freshman top
Melody Hawkins, senior base
Mikayla Brown, sophomore base Jaliyah Doulgas, freshman base
JaLin Nelson, Pippins, and freshman base Madison Hankinson all completed in heat one (450 Salto) and recorded the best score for FMU as the Patriots earned an 8.20 out of a possible 9.10. Heat two (Synchronized) and heat three (Open) combined for another 16.850 points.
Newberry totaled 13.050 out of a possible 17.30 to trail Francis Marion 106.600-68.350.
Event 5 – Tumbling
In the individual passes during tumbling, freshman tumbler
Jordyn Hines' pass scored 8.425 out of a possible 8.750, while Gaither's Aerial pass listed a new high of 9.200 out of a possible 9.55. Freshman tumbler
Destiny Keve added another 7.775 while the remaining heats tallied 20.550 points.
Francis Marion then held a 152.550-98.800 before entering team event.
Event 6 – Team Event
Out of a possible 92.650, Francis Marion scored 82.750 to clinch the victory over Newberry.
