NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. — Iona University Acrobatics & Tumbling picked up its second straight victory on Saturday afternoon with a 257.385-227.600 win over Morgan State. The Gaels took a 10-point advantage into the break and pulled ahead of the Bears with stellar showings in the Toss and Tumbling events at the Hynes Athletic Center.
After the 29.785-point victory the Maroon & Gold held their Senior Day ceremony. Iona's Class of 2026 was represented by graduate students
Paige Delman,
Cameron King,
Abigail Schlebecker,
Karryn Wieda along with seniors
Ty Upton,
Briana Walker and
Julienne Templeman.
COMPULSORY
The Gaels picked up a 36.50-34.55 in the compulsory event. The two side scored an even 9.65 in the pyramid heat. Iona pulled ahead with a score of 9.4 in the toss and an 8.15 in the tumbling heat.
ACRO
Iona earned a season-best 28.25 out of a possible 29.95 points in the event to take the win over the Bears who totaled 22.85 points. The Gaels two strongest scored were a 9.7 in the five-element and a 9.60 in the seven-element events.
PYRAMID
Iona narrowly took heat one with a 9.6 to Morgan State's 9.3 in inversion pyramid heat. The Gaels then claimed a two-point win in the synchronized pyramid heat, 9.4-7.4. It was a narrow 9.6-9.55 win for the home team in the open heat to seal a 28.60-26.25 event win into the halftime break.
TOSS
Iona extended its lead out of the intermission with a 27.40 to 23.35 win in the Toss event. The Gaels put up a season-best score of 9.5 in the third and final heat.
TUMBLING
The Gaels posted a 53.875 to 48.850 event win in the tumbling heat. Iona created separation thanks to the last three individual passes as junior
Olivia Montalbano recorded a season-high 9.525 in the aerial pass. Upton followed by tying her season best of 9.525 in the six-element pass. Junior
Portia Dryden capped the event with a season-best 9.775 in the open pass.
TEAM EVENT
Iona solidified the win in the final event, scoring 82.76. Morgan State finished with a 71.75. resulting in a 29.785-point overall margin for the Gaels.
THE LINEUP
#0 Breanna Shivarain
#2
Mylah Vanden Elsen
#3
Annabella Cicci
#4 Keria Ewing
#6
Teresa Jennings
#7
Vicki Zhou
#8
Rachelle Ricafranca
#9
Olivia Montalbano
#12
Ty Upton
#13
Josie Hewett
#15
Violet Strong
#16
Briana Walker
#19
Cameron King
#20
Riley Beauchmin
#21
Julienne Templeman
#25
Emersen Johnson
#27
Leilani Morales
#30
Karryn Wieda
#31
Portia Dryden
#32
Mya Brayak
#33
Cristiana Abreu
#34
Madison Lutte
#35
Haley Merrill
#36
Laura Rojas
#38
Haley Nalty
#40
Paige Delman
#43
Gia Arias
#46
Anya Heller
UP NEXT
Iona caps its homestand with the final home meet of the season on Monday, March 9 with a 1 p.m. showdown against Baylor.
