Lander University

Hailey Franklin

Acrobatics & Tumbling 2/20/2026 9:56:00 PM Hailey Franklin - Assistant Sports Information Director

No. 14 Lander Soars Past Francis Marion for First Win of Season

GREENWOOD - No. 14 Lander acrobatics & tumbling delivered one of the most complete performances in program history Friday night, defeating Francis Marion 260.845-224.195 at Finis Horne Arena to earn its first win of the season.

The Bearcats (1-1) established control early and never relinquished it, posting one of their highest compulsory and tumbling scores on record while winning every event on the way to the decisive victory.

Lander opened the meet with a dominant compulsory event, totaling a 37.55 to build an early advantage. The Bearcats set the tone immediately with a 9.50 in the pyramid heat. Lander continued to excel in the toss heat with a 9.85 before closing the event with a 9.35 in tumbling to take a 94.30-83.05 lead at halftime.

The Bearcats extended their advantage in the acro event, scoring 27.95 overall. Lander opened with a 9.75 in the five-element heat and followed with a 9.20 in the six-element heat. The Bearcats capped the event with a 9.00 in the seven-element heat, maintaining a comfortable cushion.

Lander remained steady in the pyramid event, totaling 28.80. The Bearcats scored a 9.50 in the inversion heat and matched that score in the synchronized heat before delivering one of their best marks of the event with a 9.80 in the open heat to continue building separation.

In the toss event, Lander recorded a 27.55 behind a strong 9.50 in the 450 salto heat, closing with a 9.20 in the open heat to remain firmly in control entering the final individual event.

The tumbling event proved to be a historic performance for the Bearcats, who posted a 53.425 — one of the highest tumbling totals in program history. Julie Szmitko highlighted the event with a 9.725 in the aerial pass, while Jaedien Irizarry earned a 9.675 in the open pass. Audra Kaiser added a 9.275 in the six-element pass, and the duo pass of Szmitko and Kaiser scored a 9.150 as Lander won all six heats to widen its lead even further.

Lander sealed the meet in the team event, posting an 85.57 to cap the night and finish with a 36.650-point margin over the Patriots.

The victory marked the Bearcats' first win of the year and showcased one of the program's strongest overall efforts, highlighted by record-level performances in both compulsory and tumbling.

Lander hits the road for the first time this season on Feb. 27, traveling to Mars Hill, N.C., for a Conference Carolinas tri-meet against host Mars Hill and Belmont Abbey. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

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