ACROBATICS & TUMBLING SEASON PREVIEW

The Gannon Acrobatics & Tumbling team continues to stand out as one of the best teams in the nation. Coming off a national runner-up finish a year ago, head coach Brandy Duren and the Golden Knights are ready to make another run at the national championship in 2025. They'll open the season on Friday, February 7 when the team travels to Duquesne.
 
Coming off an exciting 2024 season, Gannon was impressive in their run to the finals. Wins over Azusa Pacific (267.165-252.545) & Quinnipiac (266.615-265.315) vaulted GU to the national title competition, and despite a close loss to Baylor (269.315-272.220), the Golden Knights left their mark on the national stage.
 
A&T also came home with two event national titles to boot. The Golden Knights won NCATA event titles in the Synchronized Pyramid and the Synchronized Toss on the final day of the four-day national championships. This marked the third straight year in which Gannon won at least two national event titles. The Golden Knights also came away with three major award winners in Ali Price (Division II Athlete of the Year), Brianna Arre (Fredericksburg, Va./Riverbend) (Division II Specialist of the Year), and Alex DeAngelis (Audubon, N.J./Camden Catholic High School) (Division II Freshman of the Year). 
 
Back for her fourth season as head coach, Duren is excited for what is likely another championship caliber team this year. The Golden Knights return a bevy of standout athletes from last season, including NCATA Division II Freshman of the Year, Alex DeAngelis (Audubon, N.J./Camden Catholic High School). Several new faces join the squad and are expected to play an integral role throughout the year. 
 
"Our team is stepping up to the plate (early in the season)," said Duren. "We have a very strong senior class. We're also a young team, so we're asking a lot of young players to step up this year, but they are rising up to the occasion."

From both the coaching staff and veteran returners, expectations are high. "Our goal is to make it back to nationals - and we want to win this year," said senior Charisma Felix (Las Vegas, Nev./College of So. Nevada High School West). "We want to be the first DII school to make it to the top."
 
The team will rely on the veteran experience of returning members to guide the newcomers in succeeding at the collegiate level. 

"Our sport is big and mentality. It's 99% mentality," senior Nicole Pavia (Oxford, Conn./Oxford High) said. "It's really just getting your mentality right. We've been working so hard all season. It's just putting the two together and trusting yourself, trusting your teammates."

"It will take a lot of work, and we are putting in all that work," added freshman Makayla White (Swedesboro, N.J./Kingsway Regional). "We're doing all the extra reps,, and we're always in the gym doing our best. I feel like once we really get things put together, will be amazing this year."

Following their season opener, the Golden Knights will return home for the first of three home dates this season. They include the home opener vs Buffalo State & Trine, along with a regular season finale blockbuster vs No. 2 Quinnipiac.

"It will be wonderful to be back inside the Highmark Events Center," Duran said. "Being back in our home facility will bring an added boost to our team on meet days."
 
The NCATA National Championships take place from April 24-27 in Sioux Falls, SD. The Golden Knights intend to make another run at the title in 2025. "The teams at the top (of the NCATA rankings) have always been evenly matched," noted Duren. "For us, it will come down to executing on meet day."
 
SEASON OPENER
Friday, February 7 at Duquesne (6:00 p.m.)
 
HOME COMPETITIONS
Friday, February 14 - Gannon Tri-Meet vs Buffalo State & Trine – Highmark Events Center (6:00 pm)
Saturday, March 22 - vs. No. 9 Frosburg State – Highmark Events Center (2:00 pm)
Saturday, April 5 - vs. No. 2 Quinnipiac – Highmark Events Center (2:00 pm)
 
NCATA National Championships
Thursday, April 24 - Sunday, April 27 - Sioux Falls, SD (Hosted by Augustana University)

COACHING STAFF
Brandy Duren - Head Coach
Addy Womeldorph - Assistant Coach
Maria Ondrejko, Montana Muller (Catasauqua, Pa./Catasauqua), Kat Rodriguez (Rockwall, Texas/Rockwall) - Student Assistants

2025 NCATA Preseason Top 15 (first place votes in parenthesis plus pts. Italics Gannon 2025 opponent)
1.    Baylor (42) -- 699
2.    Quinnipiac (1) -- 619
3.    GANNON (3) -- 601
4.    Oregon (1) -- 592
5.    Mary Hardin-Baylor -- 433
6.    Fairmont State -- 415
7.    Azusa Pacific -- 400
8.    Iona -- 366
9.    Frostburg State 00 312
10.  Limestone -- 247
11.  Augustana -- 220
12.  Hawaii Pacific -- 186
13.  Saint Leo -- 111
14.  Long Island -- 104
15.  Duquesne -- 84