CALDWELL, NJ (Feb. 19, 2025) - Georgian Court Acrobatics and Tumbling had their best night in their brief history of a program. The Lions set program bests in nine heats, five events and a new high score 199.71. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough as Caldwell slipped by in a dramatic meet by just 2.04 points, 201.75-199.71.

The Lions came out hot in the compulsories. They totaled a new program-best 27 points, helped out by heat records 6.65 in the acro and 9.25 in the pyramid. The Lions also scored 9.10 in the toss before a 2.0 in the tumbling and built a 1.90 point lead, 27-25.10 over Caldwell.

The records kept falling for the Lions who scored 8.85 in the acro 5-element and 6.85 in the 6-element. The finished the acro event with a 6.75 in the 7-element for a 22.45 total. Caldwell was able to chip away at the GCU lead scoring 23.60.

The pyramid is where the Lions shined. They set new high scores in all three heats scoring 8.90 in the inversion, 9.20 in synchronized and 9.40 in open for a total of 27.50. GCU was able to extend their lead as the Cougars totaled 26.25 and at the half it was a 76.95-74.95 Lion lead. 

Georgian Court began to wear down in the second half. After setting heat records in seven of 10 heats, GCU pulled that trick in just one of the final eight. In the toss event, Caldwell was able to take the slightest of leads, 100.30-100.05. GCU scored 7.90 in the 450 Salto, 7.25 in the Synchronized and 7.95 in the open. Despite not setting any records in any one heat, the Lions total event score of 23.10 was a new record as they had their most consistent toss event ever. Caldwell scored 25.35 in the event to grab the 0.25 point lead.

Caldwell really pulled ahead in tumbling as the Cougars scored a 43.20. Georgian Court hung close putting up 36.85 themselves. The team passes saw the Lions score 5.35 in duo, 5.65 in trio and 4.65 in quad. The Lions picked up some points in the individual passes scoring 6.35 in the aerial, 7.25 in the 6-element and a new record high 7.60 in the open, the only tumbling heat where GCU held an advantage. 

Heading into the team event, Georgian Court trailed by 6.60 points. 

The Lions put it all together during the team event. Georgian Court had never scored more than 53 points in the final event, but on this night scored a whopping 62.81, easily a new program-best. While GCU was able to get the better of the Cougars in the event, it wasn't by enough as Caldwell's 58.25 gave them an overall win by just 2.04 points, 201.75-199.71.

Georgian Court will take some time off before their next meet. They compete again at home Wednesday, March 12 against Kutztown at 6 pm. 

Compiled Results (indicates a new program high score)
Compulsory
Acro: Caldwell 6.8, GCU 6.65
Pyramid: Caldwell 6.60, GCU 9.25
Toss: Caldwell 9.70, GCU 9.10
Tumbling: Caldwell 2.0, GCU 2.0
Totals: Caldwell 25.10, GCU 27.0
Team Score: Caldwell 25.10, GCU 27.0

Acro
5-Element: Caldwell 8.45, GCU 8.85
6-Element: Caldwell 7.40, GCU 6.85
7-Element: Caldwell 7.75, GCU 6.75
Totals: Caldwell 23.60, GCU 22.45
Team Score: Caldwell 48.70, GCU 49.45

Pyramid
Inversion: Caldwell 8.55, GCU 8.90
Synchronized: Caldwell 8.65, GCU 9.20
Open: Caldwell 9.05, GCU 9.40
Totals: Caldwell 26.25, GCU 27.50
Team Score: Caldwell 74.95, GCU 76.95

First Half: Caldwell 74.95, GCU 76.95

Toss
450 Salto: Caldwell 8.60, GCU 7.90
Synchronized: Caldwell 8.20, GCU 7.25
Open: Caldwell 8.55, GCU 7.95
Totals: Caldwell 25.35, GCU 23.10
Team Score: Caldwell 100.30, GCU 100.05

Tumbling
Duo: Caldwell 6.30, GCU 5.35
Trio: Caldwell 6.60, GCU 5.65
Quad: Caldwell 7.15, GCU 4.65
Aerial: Caldwell 8.17, GCU 6.35
6-Element: Caldwell 8.42, GCU 7.25
Open: Caldwell 6.55, GCU 7.60
Totals: Caldwell 43.20, GCU 36.85
Team Score: Caldwell 143.50, GCU 136.90

Team Event
Caldwell 58.25, GCU 62.81

Total: Caldwell 16.625, Georgian Court 177.505