Wheeling, W. Va. - After battling against their first-ever Division I opponent two weeks ago, the Wheeling University Acrobatics & Tumbling team (1-3, 0-2) returns to the mat for their home finale Sunday. It is back to Mountain East Conference (MEC) play for the Cardinals, when they welcome in West Virginia State with first events beginning at 2 PM. The Cardinals will be searching for their first conference win of the season, while also honoring their five seniors that have been pillars in building this program from the ground-up.
Last time out, the Cardinals hosted their first-ever DI program when they welcomed in Canisius University and had a big day, hitting the 200-point mark for the first time this season. In total, the team broke 14 school records across the 20 heats, and were able to keep things close throughout the night. After dropping the Compulsory event by a score of 35.20-27.00, the Cardinals remained close for the rest of the first half. By the break, they were trailing 87.05-73.25 and had a chance to overtake the Griffins in the second half. They won their first event of the night in Tumbling, securing a 45.275-43.925 win and headed into the Team portion of the event with a chance. However, they would end up falling just 28 points short, scoring 62.650 in the team event to round out the day.
The Cardinals lone event win would come in the Tumbling event, where they were led by sophomore Gabriella Jantz. Jantz was a part of two of the four heat wins in the event, with her biggest performance coming in the 6-Element Pass. The sophomore would set the new program record with a score of 9.300 out of a start value of 9.75, beating Canisius by a full 1.150. Janz was also a participant in the heat win in the Trio Pass, where the Cardinals put up a score of 7.500. Jantz was one of the solo tumblers during her freshman season, competing in the Open Pass, and she has elevated herself to the 6-Element Pass in 2026. She looks to continue improving her score as she tries to become the first individual in program history to qualify for an MEC Event Final.
The first heat win of the day would come in the Pyramid Event, with the Cardinals starting things strong in the Inversion Pyramid. The group would put together a score of 9.150 on a start value of 9.70, picking up their largest margin of victory in a single-heat, beating Canisius by 1.200 points. The Pyramid event has been one of the strongest for the Cardinals this season, and their Open Pyramid received the first 10.00 start value in a non-compulsory event in program history. The Cardinal's closest margin would come in the Toss, with their Open Toss closing things out strong. The Cardinals would score an 8.550 in the event, coming off a start value of 9.40. They would end up tying Canisius, to finish with a score of 24.20-23.85.
As they come down the final stretch of the regular season in 2026, the Cardinals have their eyes on the MEC Event finals. Last season, the team had their first ever Event Final qualifier, when the Trio Pass qualified for the event. As they stand right now, the Cardinals have finished with 9.00 or better scores in four different events this season, and on the team side the Cardinals still find themselves alive in the team playoff race. The Cardinals would have to win each of their final two matches against West Virginia State and Kutztown, while having West Libert has to lose their final conference meet against Glenville State. The Cardinals will look to continue to grow on the mat and check another first off their list in the postseason.
The Match-up
The Cardinals and Yellow Jackets are meeting for the second time in program history, with Wheeling leading the all-time series at 1-0. It will be the first meeting between the two teams inside the Alma Grace McDonough Center, with the Cardinals scoring 215.26 points in their first meeting in Institute, West Virginia.
The last meeting between the two teams came on March 10th, 2025, in a meet that Wheeling won 215.255-203.555. Former Cardinal Keala McCurry would lead the way for the Cardinals, competing in the Aerial Pass and putting up a score of 8.300. The top team event on the nigh t was the 450 Salto Toss, where the team scored a 9.100 to lead-off the event.
The Details
First event for Saturday's contest is scheduled for 2 PM inside the Alma Grace McDonough Center. You can watch the action live by clicking HERE.
