Wheeling, W. Va. - During their inaugural season in 2025, the Wheeling University Acrobatics & Tumbling team (0-0, 0-0) had their share of highs and lows as they build a solid foundation. As they enter year two, the Cardinals still have a young team on their side, but add experience that they didn't have last season. On Thursday, the team will officially embark on their second season when they travel to Glenville State for a tri-match against the host Pioneers and Bluefield State beginning at 6 PM.
The Cardinals competed in their inaugural season in 2025, and would finish 2-6 overall and 1-5 in Mountain East Conference (MEC) play across eight events. They started the program with a match-up against West Liberty University, where they put up a respectable 185.170, but fell to the Hilltoppers. Due to small numbers, the Cardinals had to cut the team routine out over the next three events, and welcomed in dual sport athletes. Once the numbers were up, the Cardinals officially got into the win column with a 215.255-203.555 win over West Virginia State. It would begin a string of three straight matches where the Cardinals scored 200+ points, with the mark against West Liberty being their season-best. They would end the regular season with a 198.190-174.900 win over Bluefield State and, although the team portion of the season was over, individual events moved on. The Cardinal trio pass would compete at the MEC Event Finals, placing third with a score of 5.525.
With a roster of 21 athletes, featuring 12 in either their freshmen or sophomore seasons, the Cardinals will lean on their experience to lead the way. One of those young players who will step up to lead is freshman Gianna Bjorn, who was a regular in both the tumbling and flying events. She was one of the three Cardinals to compete in the trio pass at last season's event finals, and was a regular in the six-element pass. She picked up her first event win and set the program record with a 7.850 against West Virginia State, one of two individual event wins for Bjorn during her freshman season. As she enters year two, she will look to be a leader for both groups as she continues to elevate her game into her sophomore season.
Along with the returning talent, Head Coach Alexis Kelly has brought in a group of 11 newcomers to this year's team, bringing a variety of backgrounds to add to the squad. Of the 11 athletes, nine of them are in their freshman season, looking to build on their skill sets. Laicey Angelle comes in as a talented utility player, who can be both a top and a base when needed. She was named the Cheerleader of the Year at FX Cheer during the 2022-2023 season, and looks to bring her cheerleading talent to the mat. The other two members are transfers with experience in the college game, bringing knowledge to the group. Savanah Poulos comes to Wheeling after competing the last two seasons at Southeast Missiouri State. She brings with her a strong gymnastics background, having one 1st Place in the All-Around Vegas Cup in high school and she continues to build on that success with the Cardinals.
As they open the 2026 schedule, Head Coach Alexis Kelly is excited to see this team take the mat. She says there are several new skills that the Cardinals will perform on the mat this season, including a pyramid that will be competed in for the first time in history. After having several dual-sport athletes help the team with numbers a season ago, the program is flourishing with mostly acrobatics & tumbling focused athletes who are excited to grow the sport. Unlike last season, when the Cardinals competed at home for their opener, Wheeling will have to be road warriors as they begin 2026. Each of their first three events will be on the road, where the Cardinals were 1-1 a season ago, and they look to gain momentum before coming home to the Alma Grace McDonough Center to start March.
The Match-ups
Glenville State: The Cardinals and Pioneers are meeting for the second time in program history, with Glenville State leading the all-time series at 1-0. It will be the second straight trip to the Waco Center in the all-time series, and the second time that the two teams have competed in tri-meet action. The first meeting between the programs came back on February 19th, 2025, in a match that Glenville State would win 240.315-121.325. Wheeling was led by former Cardinal Keala McCurry, who won the Aerial Pass with a score of 8.40, while the team's highest score of the night came in the inversion pyramid at 8.50.
Bluefield State: The Cardinals and Big Blue are meeting for the second time in program history, with Wheeling leading the all-time series at 1-0. It will be the first neutral site meeting between the two teams, with the Cardinals earning a senior-night win against Bluefield State at home last season. The first meeting between the two teams was back on March 30th, 2025, in a match that Wheeling won 198.190-174.900. The Compulsory Toss would lead the way, scoring the highest mark in program history at 9.200. Former Cardinal Keala McCurry and Courtney Hurst would each pick up individual event wins to round out the day.
The Details
Thursday's tri-match is scheduled to begin at 6 PM inside the Waco Center on the campus of Glenville State University. You can watch the event live by clicking HERE.
