SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Converse University acrobatics and tumbling team (4-5, 4-4 Conference Carolinas) improved their season-best score for the third consecutive meet and defeated the Wingate University Bulldogs (5-4, 4-4 Conference Carolinas) by a final score of 249.615-248.780. The Valkyries won 14 heats and four of the meet's six events.
 
Event 1 – Compulsory
In the Compulsory event, Converse posted scores of 6.400 (Acro Heat), 9.550 (Pyramid Heat), 9.800 (Toss Heat), and 7.800 (Tumbling Heat). The Valkyries scored a season-high in the toss heat and outscored Wingate in three of the event's four heats but trailed the Bulldogs 35.550-33.550 heading into the second event.
 
Event 2 – Acro
In the Acro event, Converse posted scores of 9.350 (5 Element), 8.700 (6 Element), and 9.450 (7 Element). The Valkyries scored season-bests in all three heats and the acro event overall. Converse narrowly won the acro event by a score of 27.500-27.150. Wingate held onto their lead 62.700-61.050 heading into the pyramid event.
 
Event 3 – Pyramid
In the Pyramid event, Converse posted scores of 9.700 (Inversion), 9.750 (Synchronized), and 9.900 (Open). The Valkyries scored season-highs in the synchronized and open heats and were one-tenth of a point short of a season-best in the inversion heat. With all three heats combined, it the Valkyries' best score in the pyramid event this season. Converse outperformed the Bulldogs 29.350-28.600. Despite outperforming Wingate in two events, the Bulldogs held onto their lead and went into halftime up 91.300-90.400.

Event 4 – Toss
In the Toss event, Converse posted scores of 9.000 (450 Salto), 8.400 (Synchronized), and 8.700 (Open). The Valkyries posted a season-best in the 450 salto heat and outperformed the Bulldogs 26.100-24.900 in the toss event. By winning 11 heats entering the tumbling event, the Valkyries took a 116.500-166.200 lead into the penultimate event.
 
Event 5 – Tumbling
The duo of seniors Ceanna Brown and Ashlynn Voorhees scored a 8.250 in the duo pass, a season-best for the Valkyries in the heat. Seniors Emilee-Claire Carter, Aiko Hirata and Estrella Seabolt combined for a 7.600 in the trio pass. A quartet of Valkyries led by seniors Krissa Gaines, Chloe Cleland, Krissa Gaines and sophomore Kaylah Belle Danjczek scored a 7.350 in the quad pass. Gaines competed in the aerial pass and posted an 8.700. Hirata took on the 6 element pass and scored an 8.225. Voorhees rounded out the tumbling event with the open pass, scoring an 8.750. Converse narrowly edged out the Bulldogs in the tumbling event 48.875-48.300 and took a 165.375-164.500 lead into the team event.

Event 6 – Team
With a start value of 95.580, Wingate scored 84.280 to end the meet with an overall score of 248.780. Converse started their team event with a 97.640 start value. The Valkyries scored an 84.240. Converse narrowly held onto their lead, winning the meet 249.615-248.780.
 
Next Up:
The Valkyries await their postseason destination with the result of the other Conference Carolinas acrobatics and tumbling meets being held today, March 27, and tomorrow, March 28. The Conference Carolinas acrobatics and tumbling quarterfinals will be held on Tuesday, April 1, at campus sites.
 
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