A&T Opens Season Sunday

EUGENE, Ore. – The Oregon acrobatics & tumbling team returns to the mat Sunday for its season opener against Arizona Christian at 2 p.m. in Matthew Knight Arena.

"It has been 11 long months and we couldn't be more excited to get back on the mat in Matthew Knight Arena," Oregon head coach Keenyn Won said. "All that is missing is our amazing fans, but we know they will be there in spirit! Our first full team practice was on January 8, and the team has been looking forward to this first home meet ever since. Arizona Christian has been progressing significantly as a program and we are looking forward to a great match up this weekend."

Oregon will return to Matthew Knight Arena for the first time since beating Quinnipiac 274.87-273.705 on March 8, 2020. The Ducks finished the season unbeaten at home also picking up a 280.68-266.72 win over Hawaii Pacific in the season opener. Overall, Oregon finished with a 4-1 record before COVID-19 halted completion of the season before a rematch with HPU in Honolulu on March 26.

"This past year was unlike any other and I am sure we can all agree that we are excited and thrilled to be competing again, "Won added. "Fall training looked like it never had before. Due to COIVD restrictions, we were only allowed to tumble in small groups. It had been a journey to get to this point, but we are so grateful for our medical staff working diligently to allow our athletes to practice and compete.

"Although we only have four regular season meets, we have a strong schedule and are looking forward to competing against top competitors throughout the season," Won added. "As a team we have decided to take this season day-by-day, meet-by-meet, and remind ourselves to give every day our best effort."

Highlighting the group of returners are 2019 NCATA All-American Payton Coon (Top/Base/Tumble) and Addie Lacewell (Base). Coon and Lacewell are part of an eight-member senior class that will lead the Ducks, who ushered in a freshman class of 11 student-athletes. Freshman Kaylie Barrera (tumbler) and junior college transfer Alexis Lindsey (Base) both should be key contributors.

"I am very excited for this team as we have a large number of key returners as well as a handful of fresh faces that you will see in the starting line-up," Won said. "We have strong leadership on the floor as our entire senior class competes in multiple heats throughout the meet.

"We will also see a handful of our underclassmen competing in key roles including- Alyssa Hew, Karly Nowak and Mariah Tanner," Won added. "It is tough to only name a few being that there are so many key athletes that specialize in different events that contribute to our overall team success."