Around the Acrobatics and Tumbling circuit, HPU Sharks are known for a few things. That was present and discussed when the Oregon Ducks came to the Shark Tank for the last home meet of the year. The opponent came in already impressed with the Sharks and the atmosphere was electric before warm-ups even began. 
 
The Ducks and Sharks faced off in the opening meet of the year in Eugene, Oregon back in early February and were six and a half points away from leaving with a huge upset win. While they may not have handed the Ducks a loss, they did leave a lasting impression. 
 
The Oregon squad was impressed with their team chemistry, strength, and synchronization. They were impressed by the fact that they couldn't tell by watching the Sharks that they were a Division II program from 2,500 miles away because they performed just as well as any of the larger programs they face. What impressed them most though, was how the aloha spirit shined through each and every one of them! As the season progressed, all the other teams that played Oregon said the same about the Sharks.
 
Coaches and team members alike from the Oregon squad raved about the HPU squad, the coach, and the love they had for each other along with the love they showed to the Ducks when they were in Eugene. "We couldn't wait to get out here for this meet. Of course, we wanted to get out of the rain and cold to come to beautiful Hawaii, but we also couldn't wait for the meet with HPU again. It was the best meet of the year by far and we've been waiting all season to do it again. Not only how great their squad is, but how great of people they all are. They truly live the aloha spirit, and you see it in everything they do. From supporting each other on the team and even how much they supported and respected us as their opponent." said Oregon Coach Taylor Susnara. "We pulled out a tight match the last time and they weren't upset about the loss. They were proud of how hard they fought and respected us for doing the same and happy for us. That's aloha right there." Both Oregon coaches and many team members were telling me about how the Sharks have that reputation throughout the A&T world as we talked story before warm-ups. It made me proud of the program just being a small part of the great stories they were telling and I made sure to pass them along to the HPU coaches and athletes.
 
The match started as anticipated with both squads turning in spectacular performances and the entire gymnasium being a deafening atmosphere of cheers, screaming, and Paco's one-of-a-kind announcing keeping everybody excited. Through the first four rounds of the six-round meet, the Sharks never trailed by more than one-and-a-half points, and they beat the D-I school in the second round. They even were able to withstand a perfect ten scored by the Ducks in the third round on a pyramid event. Then, in the last two rounds of tumbling and team event Oregon was again near flawless and HPU just couldn't quite keep up. Unfortunately, that has been the story of their 1-6 season with them being a very strong team putting in good performances but coming up just a little short. Their six losses have been by a combined 57 points, and they have averaged 259 points per match. For reference, some schools haven't scored over 200 this year. Another example is that when HPU scored their season best 277 points this year against Azusa Pacific, APU also scored their season high.... 278. They know they are right there and none of their opponents have taken them for granted either.

Oregon sophomore Rickelle Henderson scored a near perfect 9.9 in her open single tumbling event that put the Ducks ahead for good this particular night and said, "I knew I had to give it my all against a great team and I amazed myself in the process." Her score being the highest individual score In Oregon A&T history, "After the match, I was congratulated by the whole other team too. They were just so nice and happy for me."
 
First year Sharks coach and alumni Peyton Smith knows how good the squad is and how bright the future is for them and the sport. "We have a great group of young women that work hard and have great attitudes. They cheer each other on and they cheer the other teams on too. They really are advocates of the sport as it is emerging in NCAA. Even going back to when I was a student here, we have always been about our aloha spirit first and foremost. We are losing some great seniors, but I think we are going to keep getting better and build on what we learned from this year."
 
The team expects to lose All-American Revenna Bala and ten seniors in total but had contributions from underclassmen all year and will always keep the same mentality and aloha spirit moving forward. One of the best tumbling performances, along with infectious smile and energy came from sophomore Brenna Corral-Vargas who will be one of many to carry that torch. "I just want to do whatever I can to help the team and I always want to keep a smile on my face and have fun. This is a great sport."
 
While the team didn't make it to the nationals competition at the end of April this year, they await word for some individual accolades to be passed down and given the opportunity to attend for their specialties and compete one last time this year. While the record may not have been what they wanted, it was a great year of hard work and aloha put forth by these ladies and they have a lot to be proud of.