Sunday, February 21
Eugene, OR
2:00 PM
University of Oregon
277.53
vs
252.97
Arizona Christian
Photo by: @EricEvansPhoto
A&T Opens Season With Victory
02/21/21 | Acrobatics & Tumbling
Oregon returned to competition on Sunday in Matthew Knight Arena and led the meet from start to finish.
EUGENE, Ore. — The Oregon acrobatics and tumbling team led from start to finish Sunday in the Ducks' 2021 season opener, a victory over Arizona Christian in Matthew Knight Arena, 277.530-252.790.
It had been two weeks shy of a full year since the Ducks last competed on the mat, and Sunday's opener kicked off a regular-season schedule of just four meets this spring. But UO coach Keenyn Won and her program supplied their own energy and executed well given the long layoff.
"So exciting; I cannot describe to you," Won said. "It was awesome to get back out here with the team. Definitely a different vibe with no fans, but to see them competing, see them back out on the floor was awesome."
How It Happened: The Ducks took control from the very start against the Firestorm, who are coached by Brandy Duren, a three-time NCATA national champion when she competed at Oregon from 2012-15.
Oregon had a 9.900 during the compulsory event, taking an overall lead of 37.650-35.550 after that event. The Ducks stretched their lead to 66.850-60.800 after the acro event, and had another 9.900 in the pyramid event to go ahead 96.200-88.250.
A consistent set of 9.800 scores in the toss made Oregon's lead 125.600, and the Ducks scored 9.150 or better in all six heats of the tumbling event to lead 182.700-166.350 entering the team event.
"Typically our tumbling starts off a little slower early in the season and progresses up," Won said. "But we went out there and did really well. …
"Our seniors just really stepped up. We have eight seniors and they're on the floor in multiple heats throughout, and I think that just goes to show what leaders they are."
Won said she was particularly proud of Karly Nowak for learning a new tumbling pass in recent practices and executing well on Sunday.
"Solo passes can be a little bit intimidating, but she absolutely killed it," Won said.
The meet ended with Oregon scoring 94.830 in the team event. Arizona Christian wrapped up the meet with a team event score of 86.62.
Up Next: The Ducks host Baylor on March 6.
It had been two weeks shy of a full year since the Ducks last competed on the mat, and Sunday's opener kicked off a regular-season schedule of just four meets this spring. But UO coach Keenyn Won and her program supplied their own energy and executed well given the long layoff.
"So exciting; I cannot describe to you," Won said. "It was awesome to get back out here with the team. Definitely a different vibe with no fans, but to see them competing, see them back out on the floor was awesome."
How It Happened: The Ducks took control from the very start against the Firestorm, who are coached by Brandy Duren, a three-time NCATA national champion when she competed at Oregon from 2012-15.
Oregon had a 9.900 during the compulsory event, taking an overall lead of 37.650-35.550 after that event. The Ducks stretched their lead to 66.850-60.800 after the acro event, and had another 9.900 in the pyramid event to go ahead 96.200-88.250.
A consistent set of 9.800 scores in the toss made Oregon's lead 125.600, and the Ducks scored 9.150 or better in all six heats of the tumbling event to lead 182.700-166.350 entering the team event.
"Typically our tumbling starts off a little slower early in the season and progresses up," Won said. "But we went out there and did really well. …
"Our seniors just really stepped up. We have eight seniors and they're on the floor in multiple heats throughout, and I think that just goes to show what leaders they are."
Won said she was particularly proud of Karly Nowak for learning a new tumbling pass in recent practices and executing well on Sunday.
"Solo passes can be a little bit intimidating, but she absolutely killed it," Won said.
The meet ended with Oregon scoring 94.830 in the team event. Arizona Christian wrapped up the meet with a team event score of 86.62.
Up Next: The Ducks host Baylor on March 6.
Players Mentioned
Top/Base/Tumbler
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