SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Converse University acrobatics & tumbling team (3-3, 3-3 Conference Carolinas) celebrated the collegiate careers of their 15 senior student-athletes at their meet against the Coker Cobras (5-1, 4-1 Conference Carolinas) and Francis Marion Patriots (0-6, 0-6 Conference Carolinas) Saturday afternoon at the Weisiger Center. The Cobras had the highest score of the day with a 241.250. The Valkyries placed in the middle with a 228.920. The Patriots rounded out the tri-meet with a 196.510.

Converse won seven heats and two events outright.

The seniors honored at a ceremony following the meet were: Hannah Baker, Maliah Barrett, Ceanna Brown, Emilee-Claire Carter, Chloe Cleland, Rylie Coley, Krissa Gaines, Aiko Hirata, Nia Jackson, Ayanna Manning, Esha NagiReddi, Lydia Redmon, Estrella Seabolt, Mason Turner and Ashlynn Voorhees. 
 
Event 1 – Compulsory
In the Compulsory event, Converse posted scores of 8.400 (Acro Heat), 9.600 (Pyramid Heat), 9.200 (Toss Heat), and 7.200 (Tumbling Heat). The Valkyries achieved a season-best in the pyramid heat, passing their previous season-high in the event of 6.450 which they scored in each of the last two meets. Converse won the pyramid and tumbling outright and topped Francis Marion in the acro and toss heats. Heading into the second event, Converse led the event with 34.400 points, Coker trailed close behind with 33.900 points and Francis Marion sat third with a 28.300.
 
Event 2 – Acro
In the Acro event, Converse posted scores of 9.200 (5 Element), 8.450 (6 Element), and 7.350 (7 Element). Converse won the 5 and 6 element heats outright, scoring season-highs in both events. The Valkyries outscored Francis Marion in the 7 element. Coker narrowly won the acro event with 25.200 points to Converse's 25.000. Through two events, Converse led Coker 59.400-59.100. Francis Marion trailed both with 48.900 points. Converse's 59.400 is the team's highest score through the completion of the acro event this season.
 
Event 3 – Pyramid
In the Pyramid event, Converse posted scores of 9.300 (Inversion), 9.650 (Synchronized), and 9.350 (Open). Converse posted a season high in the synchronized heat and the pyramid event. The Valkyries won the inversion and synchronized pyramids outright and topped Francis Marion in the open pyramid. Coker narrowly bested Converse in the event 28.500-28.300. Francis Marion scored 20.600 in the event. Converse entered halftime with a score of 87.700, their highest halftime score of the season. Coker trailed closely behind with 87.600 and Francis Marion rounded out the group with a score of 71.200.

Event 4 – Toss
In the Toss event, Converse posted scores of 8.600 (450 Salto), 7.850 (Synchronized), and 9.200 (Open). The Valkyries outscored Francis Marion in all three heats. Coker won the event 26.300-25.150 over Converse. Francis Marion trailed both with a score of 21.550 and a meet total of 92.750. Coker narrowly took a 113.900-112.850 lead over Converse heading into the tumbling event.
 
Event 5 – Tumbling
The duo of senior Nia Jackson and sophomore Madison Seymour scored a 6.800 in the duo pass. Seniors Aiko Hirata, Estrella Seabolt and Ashlynn Voorhees combined for a 7.000 in the trio pass. A quartet of Valkyries led by seniors Krissa Gaines, Chloe Cleland, Lydia Redmon and sophomore Kaylah Belle Danjczek scored a  in the quad pass. Gaines competed in the aerial pass and posted an 8.725, the Valkyries' season-high in the heat. Hirata took on the 6 element pass and scored a 7.975. Voorhees rounded out the tumbling event with the open pass, scoring an 8.400. Converse outscored both opponents in the quad pass and outscored Francis Marion in the final three heats of the event. The Valkyries bested Francis Marion in the event, 45.700-41.600, but Coker posted the top score in the tumbling event at 49.600. Heading into the team event, Coker led Converse 163.500-158.550. Francis Marion trailed both with a score of 134.350.
 
Event 6 – Team
With a start value of 99.340, Coker scored  77.750 to end the meet with an overall score of 241.250. Converse started their team event with a 97.580 start value. The Valkyries scored a 70.370. Francis Marion scored a 62.160 out of a possible 93.06. Coker won the meet overall with a score of 241.250. Converse placed in the middle of the two visiting teams with a score of 228.920. Francis Marion scored a 196.510.
 
Next Up:
The Valkyries next host the No. 13 Saint Leo University Lions in a nonconference matchup on Wednesday, March 19. The meet is scheduled to begin at 6 P.M.
 
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