WACO, TX — The eighth-ranked Iona University acrobatics & tumbling team squared off with first-ranked Baylor University in Waco, Texas on Saturday evening. As the second dual meet of a two-part Texas series this week, the Gaels resilience showed against the reigning national champions as they set season-highs in four different heats during the competition. Ultimately, the Gaels dropped the dual meet by score of 281.800-262.065.
COMPULSORY
The hosts took an early 1.250-point lead, handing the Gaels a 38.10-36.85 loss in the Compulsory event.Â
ACRO
The Gaels stayed strong into the second stanza, posting a 9.10 out of a possible 9.80 in the 7-Element third heat, but dropped the acro event to the Bears, 26.40-29.20.Â
PYRAMID
The Gaels threw down a super pyramid event, posting a 9.70 out of 10.00 in heat one and 9.85 out of 10.00 in heat three. Both heats counted for season-high points totals in their respective events, but still Baylor narrowly ousted the Maroon & Gold in the event by 0.45 points as Iona headed into halftime down 96.85-92.35.
TOSS
Iona once again earned a season-high score, this time in the open toss heat where they scored a 9.500 out of 10.00. Baylor responded with strong scores of their own, and took the first second half event by a score of 29.00-27.70.
TUMBLING
Portia Dryden led the Gaels in the tumbling event, taking home a season-high score in the open pass with a 9.775 out of 10.000. Baylor would continue their trend however and top the tumbling event by a score of 57.650-54.725.
TEAM EVENT
The Gaels earned 87.29 points out of a 103.53 possible starting value, while Baylor took home 98.30 points in the event, 17.40 points short of their 109.40 starting value.
OVERALL
The Gaels passed the 260-point mark for the second dual meet in a row, taking home 262.065 points, 28.57 short of their possible maximum. Out of a possible 299.200 accumulative starting value, the Bears received all but 17.40 points.
THE LINEUP
 #1
Georgia Mason      Â
#2
Mylah Vanden Elsen      Â
#4
Alyssa Lentz      Â
#6
Teresa Jennings      Â
#8
Rachelle Ricafranca      Â
#9
Olivia Montalbano      Â
#11
Samantha Gonzalez      Â
#12
Ty Upton       Â
#13
Josie Hewett      Â
#14
Sophia Huertas      Â
#15
Violet Strong      Â
#19
Alexandra Swaris      Â
#20
Riley Beauchmin      Â
#21
Julienne Templeman      Â
#22
Nicole Bonnett       Â
#23
Jenna Roby      Â
#24
Kendall Vess      Â
#25
Emersen Johnson      Â
#26
Rebecca Lane      Â
#27
Leilani Morales      Â
#28
Demi Brown       Â
#29
Aspen Lentz      Â
#30
Karryn Wieda      Â
#31
Portia Dryden
#32
Mya Brayak    Â
#33
Cristiana Abreu      Â
#35
Haley Merrill          Â
#43
Gia Arias   Â
UP NEXT
The Gaels return to the Hynes Athletic Center on March 28 at 6 p.m. for Senior day against number four-ranked Oregon. The ceremony for the Seniors will begin immediately following the dual meet.
