FAIRMONT, W.Va. – Top-ranked Baylor proved to be too much for No. 4 Oregon acrobatics and tumbling as the Ducks’ run at the 2024 NCATA National Championships was cut short with a 267.995-260.470 loss in the semifinal round on Friday evening.
The Bears (10-0) took control of the meet by winning each of the heats in the compulsory, acro, pyramid and toss heats. Rachel Furlong scored a 9.750 in the six-element tumbling pass to win the heat and cut into the Baylor deficit in the late stages, but the Bears bested the Ducks (4-4) in the team event to close out the meet.
How It Happened: Oregon started the meet well, improving upon its quarterfinal scores in both the compulsory acro and pyramid heats. Baylor outperformed Oregon in each heat, however, and carried a 38.125-37.725 into the second event.
In acro, the Ducks earned scores of 9.625 and 9.575 in the five-element and seven-element heats, respectively, but the Bears grew their lead by winning the event 29.275-28.375. The trend continued for Baylor in the pyramid event as it bested Oregon in each heat to build a 96.85-94.10 lead at halftime.
The Ducks came out of the break to put together a score of 9.575 in the open toss heat to lead its efforts in the event, but the Bears came out on top again 28.975-27.20. Looking to close the gap in tumbling, Furlong executed a tremendous six-element pass to earn a 9.75 and get her team its first heat victory of the night. Baylor won the event overall, however, before sealing the victory in a tightly-contested team event.
What’s Next: Oregon shifts its focus to the NCATA Event Finals, which will take place on Sunday. The event finals will begin at 8 a.m. PT with broadcast coverage available on ESPN+.
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