AZUSA, CA (April 25, 2014) – The sixth-seeded Hawai'i Pacific Acrobatics and Tumbling Team (1-6) had its inaugural season come to a close today in the first round of the NCATA National Championships. Third-seeded Quinnipiac just edged the Sea Warriors by a final score of 280.740 to 279.665.

"We've continued to improve throughout the entire season and peaked tonight against QU. Our skills were better than they had been and the team executed the way they had to. It was a close meet and at the end of the day it was a game of numbers. Doing the skills we do with such small team has left an impact on the other teams in the NCATA," said Coach Keenyn Won, who was recently named National Coach of the Year.

Despite winning the Toss Heat of the Compulsory Event by a count of 9.95 to 9.80 the Sea Warriors lost the first event of the night by just .35 points.

HPU flexed its collective muscle in the Acro Event, winning all three heats. The clean sweep pushed HPU ahead in the overall score.

The lead would stay with HPU after taking the Pyramid Event. Heat one of the event was literally perfect as Malyssa Barbasa, Dani Guerin, Nancy Miceli, Shawna Uehara, Jax Jeffries, Morgen Trube, Melanie Hew, Somer Hancock and Erin Robins dropped a dime on the score card. It was the first perfect 10 in program history.

The Toss Event went to Quinnipiac, although HPU looked sharp in Heat One winning 9.85-9.55.

The Tumbling Event also belonged to Quinnipiac, but HPU excelled in the Duo Pass and all three solo tumbling passes. Hew (9.9), Barbasa (9.925), and Miceli (9.95) all turned in their best scores of the season.

HPU beat back the Bobcats in the Team Event, winning 99.09-98.79 but it was not enough as QU escaped with the 1.075 point win.

"This year has been unforgettable with so many ups and downs, but what this team did is something that no one can take away from them. They are truly pioneers and we will never forget the first HPU Acrobatics and Tumbling Team," said Won.

"HPU has proven to be a threat and I couldn't be more proud of this team and all they have accomplished. I cannot wait to see where this program goes in the next few years," commented the coach.
 

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