SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Converse University Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics Jenn Bell announced the hiring of Sierra Bombard as the new head coach of the Acrobatics & Tumbling team.
 
"I am beyond excited to have Sierra joining Valkyrie Nation," Bell said. "Her background as an acrobatics and tumbling student-athlete and her coaching experience are just what our program needs, and I am thrilled this has worked out for the ladies, Sierra and our institution. She will hit the ground running to complete our recruiting process for the 2025-26 academic year, and then she will be a tremendous leader for our ladies. I can't wait to see how our program continues to pursue excellence in the classroom and on the mat this year, as we strive to get back to the standard to which Converse Acrobatics and Tumbling is accustomed."
 
"Becoming the head Acrobatics and Tumbling coach at Converse University is an exciting new chapter," Bombard said. "I'm looking forward to building a competitive and successful program, cultivating a culture of dedication and resilience, and making our mark in the world of acrobatics and tumbling."
 
Bombard is a familiar face to both Converse University and Conference Carolinas as the former Limestone University head acrobatics & tumbling coach. Over the past two seasons, Bombard guided the Saints to an impressive 24-2 overall record and a 15-0 record in Conference Carolinas action. Bombard led the Saints to a pair of Conference Carolinas Championships in both the regular season and in the conference tournament. Bombard also guided the team back to the NCATA National Tournament this past spring.
 
While at Limestone, Bombard coached Kacie Kier to a pair of Conference Carolina Athlete of Year accolades, and Kaila Gamaldo took home Conference Carolina Specialist of the Year honors this past season. In 2024 Rylee Rossman was named the Conference Carolinas Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
 
Bombard coached a total of 10 First Team All-Conference performers and 7 Second Team All-Conference performers. This past season, Limestone won eight event championships, and in 2024 the Saints finished with five event championships.
 
On the national stage the Saints excelled as well under the tutelage of Bombard. This past season, Kacie Kier won the individual national championship in the aerial tumbling pass with a score of 9.825. The previous season, the Saints finished runner-up in the same event. This past spring, Bombard guided Limestone to a third place finish in the duo tumbling pass, a pair of fourth place finishes in the 450 salto toss, and five element acro event, and a fifth place finish in the seven element acro event. Kier was a two-time All-American and the 2025 Division II Athlete of the Year under Bombard. Anna Warring won the Louise Goodrum Academic Achievement award this past season for the Saints as well.
 
Academically, Bombard has had 49 NCATA Honor Roll selections under her watch, and Rylee Rossman was named to the NCATA All-Academic team in 2024.
 
Prior to Limestone, Bombard was an assistant coach at Presbyterian College for one season. As a student-athlete, Bombard was a standout for Limestone, garnering a pair of First Team All-Conference accolades during her career. Bombard helped the Saints to a pair of NCATA Tournament trips and helped Limestone win their first team championship in 2022. During her senior season at Limestone, Bombard helped the Saints capture the Open Pyramid Event National Championship with a score of 9.950.    
 
For more information on the Converse University Acrobatics& Tumbling team log onto govalkyries.com.
 
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