BELMONT, N.C. — The Belmont Abbey Acrobatics & Tumbling team reached a new milestone on Tuesday by defeating Lander 249.705-239.360 in the quarterfinals of the Conference Carolinas Tournament Tuesday evening at the Wheeler Center.

The Crusaders, who entered the tournament as the No. 4 seed, defeated the No. 5 seed Bearcats for their first conference tournament win in program history. It is the second time this season that the Abbey has defeated Lander.

With the win, Belmont Abbey is now 7-3 on the season and advances to the semifinals in Bristol, Tennessee Saturday. Lander closes the season at 5-4.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Event 1 — Compulsory
Both teams got off to strong starts in compulsories as Belmont Abbey scored a 36.7/40. The Crusaders had three heats of 9.0 or higher: a 9.05 in Acro, 9.55 in Pyramid and a 9.6 in Toss. Lander scored 36.85 points to take a slight lead.

Event 2 — Acro
The Crusaders jumped ahead in the event with a score of 26.25-22.15 for Lander. Belmont Abbey's best heat came in 7 Element Acro where Gracie Grady, Grace Carroll, Mackenzie Linegar, Mauriella Beauchamp and Katilyn Blakeney added a 9.2/10 score for the team Additionally, Belmont Abbey scored an 8.6/10 in 5 Element and 8.45/9.6 in 6 Element.

Event 3 — Pyramid
The Crusaders built on their lead with one of their best pyramid events of the season, scoring 9.3 or higher in all 3 heats. The open pyramid had Belmont Abbey score a 9.8/10 while Synchronized Pyramid scored a season-best 9.6/10. The Inversion Pyramid scored a 9.3/10.

Kylie Brophy competed in all three pyramids as she and Sarah Brady, Madison Quinlan, Gabrielle Cox, Linegar and Lauren Phillips all contributed to the 9.8 in Open Pyramid.

The Crusaders held a eight point lead at halftime, 91.65-83.65.

Event 4 — Toss
Both teams had solid scores in the Toss event with Lander scoring a 26.25 compared to 25.9 for Belmont Abbey. The best score for the Crusaders came in the 450 Salto Toss, an 8.75/9.3 where Quinlan, Linegar, Grady, Brady, Cox and Roy Gannon all competed for the Crusaders.

Belmont Abbey also had scores of 8.45/9.3 and 8.7/9.6 in Synchronized and Open Toss, respectively.

Event 5 — Tumbling
Belmont Abbey extended its lead slightly with a 47.475-47.35 advantage over the Bearcats. The two best scores in the team passes came in Trio and Quad, scoring a 7.55/8.75 and 7.2/8.0, respectively.

Quinlan, Deanna Woolard and Meagan Henry competed for Belmont Abbey in Trio whil Cox, Brad, Audra Kaiser and Payton Lanier competed in Quad.

The individual passes were also strong as Tia Fluellen and Woolard both scored 9.0/9.55 in Aerial and 6 Element Pass. Quinlan rounded out the event with an 8.125/8.76 in Open Pass. The score from Fluellen is a season high for the Crusaders.

Event 6 — Team Event
Belmont Abbey set another new season high in the team event, scoring an 84.68/99.07. Lander finished with an 82.11/97.77.

UP NEXT

• Belmont Abbey advances to the Conference Carolinas Tournament semifinals against No. 1 seed Limestone Saturday.
• The meet is scheduled for a noon start in Bristol, Tennessee.