RESULTS
 
KUTZTOWN, Pa. – For one night, the achievement was far more important than the final score.
 
Nearly 16 months after introducing acrobatics & tumbling as its 22nd varsity sport, Kutztown University took to the mat competitively for the first time Friday night at Keystone Arena.
 
Quinnipiac, the nation's fourth-ranked team, walked away with a 270.890-139.050 victory, but there was plenty of appreciation by the visiting Bobcats for the hard work and dedication of the Golden Bears' student-athletes and coaches in launching their program.
 
"I'm so proud of my team," said head coach Karah Paull. "They went out there and did their absolute best, the energy was great the entire time and we continually supported one another."
 
There were certainly some first-meet jitters to work out, but Kutztown had its share of highlights throughout the match. Early in the compulsory event –the first of six overall events—the Golden Bears' sent Tiffani Lincoln (Oneonta, N.Y./Oneonta), Paige Saxey (Clearfield, Utah/Clearfield), RoseMary Werkheiser (Easton, Pa./Easton), Savannah Paige (Palmyra, Pa./Hershey), Isabella Columba (Easton, Pa./Easton) and Genesis Maldonado (Easton, Pa./Wilson Area) out for the pyramid heat. They excelled with a 9.35 score out of a possible 10 –KU's highest point total of the night.
 
Kutztown would also put up an 8.55 in the toss heat, trailing the Bobcats 37.95-28.30 at the completion of the compulsory event.
 
The Bears (0-1, 0-1 NCATA) yielded 4.45 points to Quinnipiac in the acro event, but ended the first half on a high in the pyramid event with an 8.60 in the synchronized heat and their second 9+ score of the night, a 9.15 in the open heat, to close out the half trailing 93.55-74.70.
 
Lincoln, Saxey, Werkheiser, Paige, Columba and Maldonado were joined by Natalie Harkins (Bensalem, Pa./Bensalem) in the open heat.
 
Paull identified the compulsory event as a strength for KU on this night, but she was also pleased with the toss event to open the second half. The Maroon and Gold posted scores of 8.1 or higher in all three heats.
 
Though the Bobcats (2-1, 2-1 NCATA) extended their lead over the tumbling and team events, Kutztown totaled an 8.475 in the aerial pass and an 8.300 in the 6 element pass of the tumbling event.
 
"We have room for improvement, for sure, but I believe the skills are there and a higher level of performance will come with time," said Paull.
 
Kutztown will get a few weeks of practice before experiencing another pair of firsts Friday, March. 4. The Golden Bears will compete on the road for the first time, traveling to East Stroudsburg. They'll also take part in their first tri-meet, as Stevenson is scheduled to compete along with the Bears and Warriors. Meet time is set for 6 p.m.