Acrobatics and Tumbling 4/12/2024 10:00:00 AM Khamani Anderson, MSU Athletics Communications

Lady Bears Conclude Historic Season With Loss At LIU

BROOKVILLE, NY (April 11,2024) -- In a thrilling season finale, the Morgan State acrobatics and tumbling team faced off against the Long Island University (LIU) Lady Sharks on Thursday at the Pratt Recreation Center in Brookville, New York. The meet was a close contest, with both teams showcasing their impressive skills throughout the competition.

Despite a valiant effort, the Lady Bears ultimately fell short, losing to LIU by a score of 240.535-220.550. This marked the end of Morgan State's inaugural season, which saw them finish with a record of 2-4.

Morgan State's head coach Regina Smith expressed immense pride in his team's resilience and determination. "Overall, I am very proud of the girls," said Smith. " Despite facing the adversity of an injury to Amaya Bruns during Compulsory Pyramid, the entire squad remained focused and unwavering. This incident showcased the type of character and student-athletes that I have."

"I think we really pushed through," said freshman Rayla Buckner. "We had some challenges in the beginning as a team, but we came together and stuck it through and I'm so proud of what we did."

Freshman Elena Waller's words resonated with her teammates and the entire program after a season filled with challenges.

"We've had a lot of adversity this season," Waller acknowledged. "But we came together at the end and we really pulled through. There is no other team that I would've done it with."

The Lady Bears competed in Compulsory, Acro and, Pyramid before the halftime. In heat three the Lady Bears' Olivia Phillip, Mariyah Wiggings, Rayla Bucnker and Teyha Purifoy finished with 9.650 out of 10.

Morgan completed the first half with 78.700 points, while the Sharks had 87.650.

Totals	Morgan State	Long Island
Compulsory	29.700	33.450
Acro	22.150	26.500
Pyramid	26.850	27.700
Toss	102.100	112.850
Tumble	46.500	48.725
Team	71.950	78.960
Total	220.550	240.535

As the second half of the meet commenced, Morgan State stepped up to the toss event. A formidable team of six athletes, Ga'moni Gaskin, Niani Anderson, Olivia Phillip, Mariyah Wiggins, Teyha Purifoy, and Makaya Stubbs, took their places in Heat 3 of the Pyramid event. Their performance earned an impressive 8.100 points for the Bears.

Smith's pride in the inaugural season of the sport at Morgan State is evident.

"I am very proud and we made history," said Smith. "The invitation to the White House and the recognition on the White House social media platforms are testaments to the groundbreaking impact of the team's achievements. These accolades underscore the significance of the team's success and the positive representation they have brought to Morgan State."

In the tumbling event, the Lady Bears scored high in three events. Niani Anderson scored a 8.150 in Aerial, 6 Element Tumbling Pass with Kayal Bryant scored an 8.800 and Jordyn Sanders' Open Pass recorded a 8.700 which increased the final event score to 46.500.

At the beginning of the season tops were a big challenge for the team.

"Once we realized the skills that we had, it was easy honing in on those skills until we got perfection," said Smith. "Though it's not where we want it to be, we know that is an area we will develop moving into next season."

"We did what no one thought we could do," said Buckner. "They didn't think anything of us the first day,' she exclaimed. We had no prior experience with acro, but we refused to be underestimated. I am so proud of us and we can only go up from here."

"Coming from gymnastics, I didn't know what to expect coming in," said Waller. "This season has been fantastic competing and so much fun to continue what I love to do, tumbling. So, I'm excited to see what happens in years to come."

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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.

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Players Mentioned

#5 Niani Anderson: Utility; 5' 5"; Freshman

#11 Olivia Phillip: Base/Tumbler; Freshman

#12 Jordyn Sanders: Base/Tumbler; Freshman

#32 Elena Waller: Base/Tumbler; 5' 4"; Freshman

#27 Rayla Buckner: Top/Tumbler; 5' 1"; Freshman

#21 Mariyah Wiggins: Base/Tumbler; 5' 6"; Freshman

#20 Makaya Stubbs: Top/Tumbler; 4' 10"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#5 Niani Anderson
: 5' 5"; Freshman
: Utility

#11 Olivia Phillip
: Freshman
: Base/Tumbler

#12 Jordyn Sanders
: Freshman
: Base/Tumbler

#32 Elena Waller
: 5' 4"; Freshman
: Base/Tumbler

#27 Rayla Buckner
: 5' 1"; Freshman
: Top/Tumbler

#21 Mariyah Wiggins
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: Base/Tumbler

#20 Makaya Stubbs
: 4' 10"; Freshman
: Top/Tumbler