History Made: Lions win first meet in program history

MARS HILL, N.C. - The Mars Hill acrobatics & tumbling team (1-1) defeated Emmanuel (1-2) by a score of 235.890 to 231.130 to win their first meet in program history.

Opening the 2023 home schedule strong, the Lions recorded two compulsory heats that scored higher than 9.45, highlighted by their 9.5 pyramid heat. At the end of the compulsory event, Mars Hill led 35.25-34.20.

Mars Hill also took the acro event, combining for 24 points to Emmanuel's 22.60. In the pyramid event, Emmanuel scored over 9.4 in each heat, recording two 9.55s in the Inversion and Synchronized heats. 

At the end of the first half, Mars Hill led by less than one point, 86.15-85.30. 

To kickoff the second half, Mars Hill recorded the lone 9.0 heat, scoring 9.1 in the 450 Salto Toss. Despite taking the first heat, Emmanuel narrowed the gap at the end of the fourth event to just 0.4 of a point heading into the tumbling event.

Mars Hill excelled in the six-heat event, outscoring Emmanuel 47.85-43.95. In the aerial pass, Bobbie Russell scored an 8.5 and in the 6-Element pass, Jana Guardiola posted the highest score of the event with an 8.825. Elaine Muenks rounded out the solid individual passes, scoring an 8.425 in the open pass.

Mars Hill secured the win with their team event, scoring a 77.14 to Emmanuel's 76.68, closing out the historic night with a 235.890 to 231.130 win.

The Lions return to the mats on Tuesday, March 7 when they host Glenville State inside Chambers Gymnasium. The meet is set for a 7 p.m. start.