SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The 11th-ranked Saint Leo University acrobatics and tumbling team closed out the regular season making history as it set a new school record and earned a second 10.0 this season! The Lions set a new record with a score of 262.900 on Saturday at Converse. The win puts the Lions on a six-game win streak to close out the regular season. The Lions took the meet over the Valkyries, 262.900-233.890. Saint Leo ends the regular season 6-1, with its only loss coming to top-ranked Baylor in the season opener.

The Lions Open Pyramid of Izzy Gillis, Carolyn Jackson, Kyra Walker, Angelique Cauterucci, Addison Oakley, Eliza Espinal, Jessica Santiago, Karis Fuqua, Emma Stutzke, and Mia Zdanowicz earned the fourth 10 in program history and the season one in 2026.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Saint Leo opened the meet with a dominant performance in Compulsory, scoring a 37.55 to take a sizable early lead over Converse's 33.75. The Lions were sharp across all four heats, highlighted by a 9.80 in both Pyramid and Toss and an 8.75 in Tumbling, building nearly a four-point advantage after the opening event.

The Lions continued to control the meet in the Acro event, totaling 29.00 compared to Converse's 26.25. Saint Leo posted matching 9.80s in the Five Element and Seven Element heats, along with a 9.40 in the Six Element heat, showcasing consistency and precision to extend the lead.

Pyramid proved to be one of Saint Leo's strongest events of the afternoon. The Lions delivered a 29.75, highlighted by a perfect 10.00 in the Open heat, along with a 9.90 in the Synchronized heat and a 9.85 in the Inversion heat. The near-flawless execution pushed the advantage into double digits heading into the final two events.

In Toss, Saint Leo maintained its edge with a 27.20, led by a 9.20 in the Open heat and a 9.10 in the Synchronized heat. The Lions remained steady while keeping Converse from making a push back into the meet.

Saint Leo delivered its strongest event of the day in Tumbling, posting a 55.500 compared to Converse's 42.150. The Lions recorded a 9.800 in the Aerial Pass, a 9.775 in the Open Pass, and a 9.625 in the Six Element Pass, creating significant separation heading into the Team Event.

The Lions closed out the meet in the Team Event with an 83.90, securing a 262.900 to 233.890 victory over Converse on the road
 
UP NEXT
Saint Leo will have about a month off as it waits to hear its NCATA National Championship plans. The 2026 NCATA National Championships are set for April 23-26 in Azusa, Calif.