BELMONT, N.C. — The Belmont Abbey acrobatics and tumbling team finished with a new season-high score as the Crusaders hosted Coker on senior night Friday evening at the Wheeler Center.

Despite the new season best, the Crusaders dropped a 251.975-244.455 decision to the Cobras in the regular season finale for both teams.

Eight seniors were recognized in a post-meet ceremony: Ashley Poillucci, Madison Quinlan, Lauren Phillips, Gabrielle Cox, Kylie Brophy, Trinity Martinez, Kaity Highfill and Roy Gannon.

With Friday's result, Belmont Abbey is now 6-3 overall, 5-3 in Conference Carolinas competition. Coker closes the regular season with a 7-1 mark both overall and in league play.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Event 1 — Compulsory
The Crusaders took an early 35.65-34.05 lead over the Cobras thanks to scores of 9.50 and 9.25 in Toss and Pyramid, respectively. The team also earned scores of 8.7 in Acro and 8.2 in Tumbling.

Event 2 — Acro
Coker got closer thanks to a 27.60-27.05 advantage in the event. Belmont Abbey did put together a strong showing in Heat 1 (5 Element) and Heat 3 (7 Element) with scores of 9.5/10 and 9.15/10, respectively.

In 5-Element Acro, Molly Froman, Gracie Grady, Cox, Valentina Ordonez and Phillips competed for the Crusaders. Grady also competed in 7 Element with Grace Carroll, Mackenzie Linegar, Mauriella Beauchamp and Katilyn Blakeney.

Event 3 — Pyramid
Both teams stayed even despite Coker taking the event by a slim 28.55-28.50 margin.

Belmont Abbey put together scores of 9.35 or higher in all three heats. The best score was a 9.65/10 in Open Pyramid (Heat 3) with Sarah Brady, Quinlan, Brophy, Linegar, Cox and Phillips all contributing to the score.

The Crusaders held a one-point lead at halftime, 91.20-90.20.

Event 4 — Toss
In toss, the Crusaders scored a 25.75 compared to a 26.05 for the the Cobras. Belmont Abbey's best score came in the 450 Salto Toss (Heat 1) with a score of 8.9/9.3. Quinlan, Linegar, Grady, Brady, Gannon and Cox all contributed to the score for the Crusaders.

Additionally, the Crusaders scored an 8.2/9.3 in Synchronized Toss and 8.65/9.60 in Open Toss.

Event 5 — Tumbling
Belmont Abbey scored a total of 46.075 poionts in the event but it was the event where the Cobras took the lead for good.

In the team passes, the highest score came in the Trio Pass from Quinlan, Deanna Woolard and Meagan Henry, scoring a 7.85/8.75. The closest score in relation to start value  was a 7.3/8.0 from Audra Kaiser, Cox, Brady and Payton Lanier in Quad Pass.

In the individual passes, Woolard put together a strong 8.975/9.55 in the 6 Element Pass while Tia Fluellen scored an 8.55/9.55 in the Open Pass.

Event 6 — Team Event
The Crusaders closed out the meet with a season-best 81.43/98.88 in the team event. Coker had an 85.35/99.45 in the team event.

UP NEXT

• Belmont Abbey is the No. 4 seed in the Conference Carolinas Tournament and will host No. 5 seed Lander at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Wheeler Center.
• The winner will play No. 1 seed Limestone on Saturday, April 5 in Bristol, Tennessee.