Ducks Shine on Senior Night

Friday, March 14

Eugene, OR

6:00 PM

University of Oregon

275.180

256.005

Mary Hardin-Baylor

Photo by: Eric Evans/GoDucks.com

03/14/25 | Acrobatics & Tumbling

Final Results Photo Gallery

EUGENE, Ore. – The Oregon acrobatics and tumbling team wrapped the home portion of the schedule with its second consecutive top-five win, beating No. 5 Mary Hardin-Baylor 275.180-256.005 on Friday inside Matthew Knight Arena.

The Ducks (3-1) took the lead after the compulsory event and never took their foot off the gas. Oregon upped its scores in four of six events compared to last week and posted its third score over 275.000 so far this season.

"This past week we worked a lot on honing it in on our first half while also executing our second half and staying mentally tough, but also present," head coach Taylor Susnara said. "We had three goals today - one of them was to hit team event, which they did, which is awesome; Two, being really present, and then three, just having consistent energy. Thankfully we hit all three today and I think it showed."

Oregon shined brightest in the acro event, posting its first 29.00 score since the 2022 season. UO earned scores of 9.85 in both the five-element and seven-element heats.

The Ducks held the advantage over the Crusaders (3-2) in start values throughout the second half, and Oregon used that to its advantage to continually increase their lead through the final events.

"It was pretty close going into the second half, so start values definitely help," Susnara said. "Executing them makes them even better and it is a really big advantage to have those."

How It Happened: The Ducks jumped out to a 37.30-36.25 lead after the compulsory event thanks to a pair of 9.70s in the pyramid and toss heats.

Cassidy Cu and Angelica Martin kicked off the acro event in style, matching their season high with a 9.85 in the five-element heat. Bethany Glick and Bella Swarthout competed a new skill in the seven-element acro for the first time, also scoring 9.85 to give the Ducks their best mark in the event in three years.

The Ducks took momentum into the halftime break thanks to a 29.35 total in pyramid. Oregon earned a 9.80 in both the inversion and open pyramids and a 9.75 in the synchronized pyramid, the best mark so far this season in the heat. Oregon held a 95.65-93.80 edge at the half.

Oregon scored a 28.25 in the toss event, highlighted by a 9.60 in the 450 salto. Oregon was outpointed by UMHB but responded well with a strong tumbling performance. Rachel Furlong and Morgan Willingham earned a 9.60 in the duo pass, Briya Alvarado scored a 9.825 for her aerial pass, Haley Ellis scored a 9.625 in the six-element pass, and Willingham went 9.800 in the open pass. The Ducks also earned a season-high 9.400 in the quad pass from Riley Watson, Shea Barnes, Rickelle Henderson and Carly Garcia.

The Ducks outgained the Crusaders 56.750-51.075 and held a nine point advantage heading into team event. Oregon capped off senior night with a 94.53 team event total, earning the win and giving the senior class one last victory inside MKA to savor.

The senior class – Alexis Giardina, Bethany Glick, Blessyn McMorris, Brylie Hoover, Haley Ellis, Mia Tims, Morgan Sweeney, Rachel Furlong, Riley Watson, videographer Bennett Metcalf, and student athletic trainers Kenadi Poirier and Aletta Combs – were honored during the senior night ceremony following the meet.

Quotable: "They are my babies," Susnara said on this year's senior class. "They are my first full class as a head coach and their leadership is phenomenal. Their talent is incredible, but they're all just big goofballs and they're really good humans. I'm really going to miss their presence out there on the mat."

Up Next: The Ducks will hit the road for the first time this season, traveling to face No. 2 Quinnipiac at M&T Bank Arena on Sunday, March 23.