BELMONT, N.C. — The Belmont Abbey acrobatics & tumbling team returned to competition to face No. 4 Gannon in the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
 
The Crusaders tallied six scores of 9.15 or higher outside of the team event but it was the Golden Knights who came away with the 263.815-242.985 victory.
 
With the results, Belmont Abbey is now 2-3 on the season. Gannon is 4-0.
 
Event 1 — Compulsory
Gannon had a 37.05-35.45 advantage in the opening event. The Crusaders' had three scores of 9.15 or higher, highlighted by a 9.60 in the Pyramid Heat.
 
Event 2 — Acro
The Crusaders finished with a score of 27.10 from a 29.90 start value compared to 29.25/30 from Gannon. Belmont Abbey matched a season-best in 7 Element (Heat 3) with a 9.7/10. Erena Chaples, Madeleine Martin, Kristin Fary, Bri Camp and Blythe Terrell all competed for the Abbey in that heat.
 
Event 3 — Pyramid
Belmont Abbey finished with a 28.3 out of a possible 30 points in relation to start value. The Crusaders' best score came in the Synchronized Pyramid (Heat 2) with a 9.55. Belmont Abbey also had scores of 9.40 and 9.35 in Heats 1 and 3, respectively. Gannon finished with 29.20 out of 30 with its best score coming with a 9.85.10 in Heat 3.
 
Event 4 — Toss
The Abbey earned a pair of 8.25 scores in the 450 Salto Toss (Heat 1) and Open Toss (Heat 3). The Crusaders added an 8.1/9.4 in the Synchronized Toss. The Golden Knights finished with a 28.75 in the Event.
 
Event 5 — Tumbling
Belmont Abbey finished with a 48.225 out of a possible 53.95 points compared to 54.075/58.65 for Gannon. The highest point total came in the Open Pass where Madison Quinlan scored an 8.675/9.1 for the Crusaders. Additionally, the Duo Pass (Heat 1) and Aerial Pass (Heat 4) scored 8.3 in their respective heats. Gaby Cox and Sadie Hunt competed in the Duo Pass for The Abbey while Trinity Martinez earned the score in the Aerial Pass.
 
Event 6 — Team Event
The meet concluded with the Crusaders earning a 79.31 while Gannon finished with an 85.49.
 
UP NEXT

• Belmont Abbey will face Emmanuel and first-year program Wingate at 5 p.m. Friday at Wingate.
• The Crusaders' final home meet will be Wednesday, March 27 against King at 6 p.m. at the Wheeler Center.