By: George Hillen | Manager of Athletic Communications
FLORENCE, S.C. – In its first road competition of the 2024 season, the Saint Leo acrobatics and tumbling team registered a 245.075 to 204.115 victory at Francis Marion on Thursday night.
The Lions rolled in the compulsory competition as they defeated the Patriots in every heat in the category. Saint Leo scored an 8.40 in the acro heat followed by a 9.65 in the pyramid heat. During the toss category, the Green and Gold tallied a score of 9.20 before posting a 6.50 in the tumbling heat as it led by a 33.75 to 28.25 margin.
In the acro event, the Lions notched a 9.00 while Francis Marion scored an 8.00 in the first heat (five element) followed by a 9.40 to 8.20 Saint Leo win in the second heat (six element). After securing the last acro heat (seven element) with an 8.75 to 7.05 win, the Lions led the overall competition by a 59.90 to 50.00 cushion.
During the pyramid event, the Green and Gold scored a 9.30 in the inversion heat while posting a 9.05 in the synchronized heat before posting a near-perfect score of 9.90 in the open pyramid heat. At the conclusion of the pyramid category, the Lions extended their advantage to 88.15 to 76.15.
In the toss event, Saint Leo earned a score of 8.30 in the opening heat while the Patriots tallied an 8.00 before the Lions posted a 7.65 in the synchronized toss heat. The Green and Gold notched an 8.75 in the open toss category.
Heading into the tumbling event, the Lions held a 112.85 to 98.70 edge. Saint Leo swept all but one of the tumbling heats as well as it posted a 7.600 in the duo pass followed by a 6.800 and 7.100 in the trio and quad pass, respectively. In the aerial pass, the Lions scored a 9.150 followed by an 8.950 in the open pass.
Before the final category, Saint Leo grasped a commanding 161.325 to 141.525 lead. In the team event, the Lions scored 83.75 while Francis Marion tallied a 62.59 as the Green and Gold secured the victory.
The Lions return to action on Saturday, March 16 as they continue their road trip by taking on Lander in Greenwood, South Carolina at 2 p.m.
