Falcons tame the Tigers in the home opener

MEQUON, Wis. – The CUW acrobatics and tumbling team put on a show for the home crowd in the home opener against Georgetown College on Sunday morning with the Falcons topping the Tigers, 138.7 to 133 to move to 1-1 on the year.

"The team came out and made some really great improvements today," said head coach Sarah Koenig. "We started off a little rough, but we talked a lot this week about keeping the energy up and the momentum going which I think that they did a fantastic job. We are excited about getting back to work this week and preparing for Davis & Elkins."

The Falcons posted higher scores than Georgetown in four of the five events.

The Blue and White took an early lead with a score of 23.20 points in the compulsory event. CUW tied its season-high score of 8.60 points in the toss heat.

CUW extended the lead in the acro event with 23.95 points. The team of freshman Kylie Nelson (Capron, Ill.), freshman Jessi Alexander (Plainfield, Ill.), freshman Ashley Johnson (Orrville, Ohio) and sophomore Alyssa Schnulle (Janesville, Wis.) had a season-high score of 8.35 points in the acro five-element heat.

Concordia built an even bigger lead in the pyramid heat with a season-high 25.75 points. CUW had a season-best score of 8.65 points in the synchronized pyramid.

The Falcons continued to grow the lead in the toss event with a season-high score of 23.20 points. Kylie Nelson, sophomore Abby Bodoh (West Bend, Wis.), Madison Schultz (Janesville, Wis.), sophomore Sam Hoolerbek (Belvidere, Ill.) and sophomore Nicki Jack (Orange, Calif.) secured a season-high score of 8.25 points in the first toss heat. In the open heat, the birds smashed a season-high score of 8.25 points with Madalynn Visser (Belvidere, Ill.), Jessi Alexander, sophomore Kara Skevis (Lockport, Ill.), Alyssa Schnulle and junior Katelyn Mirasola (Sussex, Wis.).

The visitors from Kentucky cut into the CUW lead in the tumbling event, but the Falcons bettered their score from Adrian, finishing with 42.60 points. Jessi Alexander led the flock with a score of 8.325 points in the six-element pass. Freshman Brianna Irving (Chicago, Ill.) and Maddie Visser had a season-high score of 6.70 points in the duo pass, while Jessi Alexander, Madison Schultz and Kara Skevis had a season-best trio pass score of 6.80 points and Madison Schultz closed the day with a 2020 best score of 7.50 points in the open pass.

The Falcons will return to action on Feb. 22 at Davis & Elkins in West Virginia.