LAKEWOOD, NJ (Feb. 23, 2024) - There was an energy in the air Friday night at the GCU Wellness Center as fans packed in to watch the very first home meet in the history of Georgian Court Acrobatics and Tumbling. For most fans, it was their first time ever seeing an Acrobatics and Tumbling meet, and although the Lions came up short to Kutztown, 245.84-166.32, the team did not disappoint putting on an exciting spectacle for their first time on their home floor.
In the meet opening compulsory event, Kutztown grabbed the lead right away scoring 33.15 points. Georgian Court did well in most rounds, but lost a lot in the tumbling heat and finished compulsory with a score of 22.2. The Lions put up 8.25 in the toss heat.
Kutztown moved right along scoring 26.5 of a possible 28.85 in the acro event with two of the three heats scoring 9.0 or better. Georgian Court entered with a start value of 25.65 and finished with 16 points.
In the final event of the first half, Georgian Court scored 22.5 in the pyramid of a possible 29.2. Kutztown scored 26.7. Georgian Court's best heat was the synchronized pyramid where they scored an 8.1.
After the first three events, Kutztown led 86.35-60.7.
Starting the second half, GCU had their fewest point deductions in event four. They scored 22.65, their highest score of the first four events. The Lions received 7.75 in two of the three heats. Kutztown had another good round with a score of 24.90.
The Lions carried that momentum from heat four into heat five, the tumbling event. GCU scored 40.65 points. They had more than eight points in the aerial pass and the six-element pass.
Gianna Mirassol was on the floor for the aerial pass and
Louanne Legregin for the six-element. Kutztown totaled 48.25 in the tumbling event.
The final event, the team event saw Kutztown score 86.34. Georgian Court put up 42.32.
Georgian Court is off for nearly a month. They return to the mat Wednesday, March 20 at home in a tri-meet with LIU and Caldwell.
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Coach Garcia
On her overall impressions from the meet:
We were very excited to show everyone the skills we've been working on since September. We had a little jitters, a little nerves, but I think they used them in the right way. They definitely had a lot of adreneline. They showed off the skills they've been working on so I'm proud of them for coming out here and showing off those skills. Despite having some of our team missing, they killed it in my eyes. I'm really proud of them.
On the effort from the team tonight:
I'm very pleased with the effort. The athletes on the floor have been going through so much adversity and they can work through anything. They expect what I give them is what they have to do. They have a 'no-fail" mentality and did they all did their job and I'm happy about it.
On improving from last week's season opening meet
Within the week we were able to get higher start values. They did harder skills. This is the first time they [put those in competition]. We didn't compete those skills at East Stroudsburg. We went higher in start value and we executed so hopefully by March 20 (next meet) we'll have even higher start values.
On having a month between competitions
It definitely helps. I think some of our injured athletes who are a huge part of our team will be back by then. This break will be good. They definitely need to rest a little bit this weekend. Enjoy spring break. But when they get back we'll be practicing fully again. Hopefully our injured athletes are back and we'll have a full team on the floor.
