University of Oregon
No. 1 Baylor
UO Falls Short in National Championship Meet
04/20/16 | Acrobatics & Tumbling
WACO, Texas – The Oregon acrobatics and tumbling team came up short to No. 1 Baylor, 286.275-282.305, in the NCATA Finals on Tuesday night at the Ferrell Center.
How It Happened: The second-seeded Ducks (11-3) opened with a 38.40 in the compulsory event. Oregon posted a 9.65 in acro, a 9.85 in pyramid and a 9.80 in toss, before wrapping up the first event with a 9.10 in tumbling. The Bears would edge the Ducks in the event, however, with a 38.90 to take an early lead.
The Bears took acro as well by a 29.40-29.15 score. Oregon posted its second-highest score in the 6-element heat to add a 9.90-9.85 triumph, but Baylor came up with a 9.75-9.70 win in the 5-element and a 9.80-9.55 tally in the 7-element to expand its lead.
Oregon turned in a respectable 29.55 in the pyramid event thanks to scores of 9.80, 9.85 and 9.90, but once again was bested by Baylor's 29.80. The Ducks trailed, 98.100-97.100, at the half.
The Ducks tied Baylor in the 2-element toss heat with a 9.85 score to open the second period. The Bears would respond with a 9.75-9.55 win in the synchronized heat and a slight 9.90-9.95 victory in the open.
Baylor added to its lead yet again in the tumbling event. The Ducks scored a 57.225 in the event, which ranks among its best scores this season, but despite solid solo heats from Sydnee Walton, 6-Element Pass National Champion Taylor Galvin and Reagan Trussell, Oregon couldn't match the Bears' 58.675.
Trailing, 186-225-183.525, heading into the team event, the Ducks looked to make up ground in the team event. Oregon turned in an impressive effort, but was only rewarded with a 98.78 to fall short, 100.05-98.78, in the event to give Baylor its second consecutive title.
What It Means: Despite falling in its final meet, the Ducks turned in an impressive season in 2016. Oregon finished the year at 11-3 overall and advanced to the NCATA Finals for the sixth consecutive season. The Ducks added two individual event national titles to the program record book in the heat 1 toss and the 6-element tumbling pass. The season also saw two Ducks crowned All-Americans in Taylor Galvin and Nicole Seybold.
The relatively young team showed heart throughout the season, and with only six graduating seniors, head coach Chelsea Shaw and her crew will return a slew of contributing Ducks for the 2017 season to chase the program's fifth NCATA National Championship.
