Lander University

Hailey Franklin

Acrobatics & Tumbling 3/19/2026 10:04:00 PM Hailey Franklin - Assistant Sports Information Director

No. 14 Bearcats shine on Senior Night with dominant win over Converse

GREENWOOD - The No. 14 Lander acrobatics & tumbling team delivered a statement performance on Senior Night, combining a dominant team effort with a record-breaking moment in a 257.750-233.390 Conference Carolinas victory over Converse on Thursday evening inside Finis Horne Arena.

The Bearcats (5-2) recorded multiple season-best scores, including in compulsory acro, 5-element acro, 7-element acro, duo pyramid, open pyramid, and toss heat one, capping one of their most complete performances of the season.

After the meet, Lander honored its senior class of Danielle Kuusisto, Julie Szmitko, Audra Kaiser, Laney Carrell, Phoenix Woodard, and Rhianna Philcox for their contributions to the program.

Lander opened the night with a strong compulsory showing, posting a 37.60, just shy of its season best (37.75 at Mars Hill). The Bearcats were especially sharp in pyramid (9.85) and toss (9.50), building an early advantage over the Valkyries.

The momentum carried into the acro event, where Lander posted a season-high 28.50. The Bearcats highlighted the round with a 9.90 in the 5-element heat and a 9.65 in the 7-element heat, extending their lead at the halfway point.

In the pyramid, Lander continued its consistency with a 29.25, powered by a new program-record 9.90 in the synchronized heat and a 9.85 in the open heat, another season-best mark.

Another defining moment of the night came in the toss event.

Lander's 450 salto heat one group delivered a 9.75, setting a new program record for the event and marking the highest score in school history for that heat. The record-breaking routine was executed by Ashlyn Shively, Rhianna Philcox, Cayden Groome, Casey Sutherland, Audra Kaiser, and Laney Carrell, electrifying the home crowd and providing a signature highlight on Senior Night.

The Bearcats finished the event with a 27.25 total in toss, maintaining firm control of the meet.

Lander closed the night with a strong tumbling total of 49.650, highlighted by standout performances from Audra Kaiser in the six-element pass (9.275) and Jaedien Irizarry in the open pass (9.400), before sealing the victory with an 85.50 in the team event.

With the win, Lander not only secured a conference victory but also celebrated its seniors in fitting fashion, pairing a memorable sendoff with a record-setting performance in front of the home crowd.

The Bearcats will return to action on Wednesday, March 25, traveling to Newberry, S.C., for a conference matchup against Newberry College at 6 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#32 Laney Carrell: 5' 8"; Graduate Student

#48 Cayden Groome: 5' 5"; Junior

#10 Jaedien Irizarry: 5' 2"; Junior

#5 Danielle Kuusisto: 5' 3"; Senior

#2 Ashlyn Shively: 5' 3"; Junior

#47 Casey Sutherland: 5' 11"; Junior

#12 Julie Szmitko: 5' 2"; Graduate Student

#35 Phoenix Woodard: 5' 6"; Senior

#25 Audra Kaiser: 5' 6"; Senior

#38 Rhianna Philcox: 5' 5"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#32 Laney Carrell
: 5' 8"; Graduate Student

#48 Cayden Groome
: 5' 5"; Junior

#10 Jaedien Irizarry
: 5' 2"; Junior

#5 Danielle Kuusisto
: 5' 3"; Senior

#2 Ashlyn Shively
: 5' 3"; Junior

#47 Casey Sutherland
: 5' 11"; Junior

#12 Julie Szmitko
: 5' 2"; Graduate Student

#35 Phoenix Woodard
: 5' 6"; Senior

#25 Audra Kaiser
: 5' 6"; Senior

#38 Rhianna Philcox
: 5' 5"; Senior