BELMONT, NC – Belmont Abbey College defeated Francis Marion University 228.240-195.325, Friday evening (March 27) in Conference Carolinas acrobatics and tumbling competition.
 
Francis Marion will conclude its 2026 season with a meet at Mars Hill University on Thursday at 6 p.m.
 
The Crusaders took an early lead after the Compulsory portion by a 32.00-23.20 margin.  The Patriots cut into that deficit by winning the Acro portion 22.55-22.15.
 
Francis Marion registered an 8.75 score in heat 1 (inversion) of the Pyramid competition, but Belmont Abbey won the three-event total by 27.10-23.75, allowing the Crusaders to take an 81.25-69.50 halftime advantage.
 
The Toss competition went to the Crusaders by a narrow 24.70-24.50 margin.
 
FMU freshman Eilee Gonzales posted an 8.95 score (out of a possible 9.55) in the 6-element pass event of the Tumbling competition, but Belmont Abbey came out on top by a 47.05-41.325 count.
 
Francis Marion tallied a 60.00 score in the team competition, while the Crusaders registered a 75.24 score.