NCATA Acrobatics and Tumbling - The New Teams in Town

by Warren Rosenberg, MetroSports Magazine

The National Collegiate Acrobatics & Tumbling Association, NCATA, is working to bring the sport of Acrobatics and Tumbling through the NCAA emerging sports status toward becoming a fully sanctioned NCAA sport. Acrobatics and Tumbling is one of six emerging women’s sports being considered by the NCAA with others being Rugby, Wrestling, Triathlon, Equestrian, and Stunt. An emerging sport is a women’s sport recognized by the NCAA that is intended to help schools provide more athletics opportunities for women and more sport-sponsorship options for institutions, while helping that sport achieve NCAA championship status.

There are currently forty-three programs nationwide that are competing in Acrobatics & Tumbling during the 2024 season, including 10 first-year programs at Bluefield State University, Buffalo State University, Francis Marion University, Georgian Court University, Iona University, Long Island University, Morgan State University, Talladega College, West Virginia State University, and Wingate University. Of the 43 teams competing in 2024, Iona’s was ranked #15 in the preseason poll.

This past week, the Iona team hosted its first ever competition vs. Long Island University at its New Rochelle campus and set off on a good start. The Gaels accumulated a total of 254.190 points against L.I.U.’s 233.410. This was L.I.U.’s first meet as well. Other NY Metro area teams competing in the NCATA include Quinnipiac University in Connecticut and Felician and Georgian Court Universities in New Jersey.

In an NCATA Acrobatics and Tumbling competition there are six separate events culminating in the final total score. These events are the Compulsory, Acro, Pyramid, Toss, Tumbling, and Team event with Iona prevailing in each one.

 "I am so incredibly proud of these athletes," said Iona head coach Jacquie Eshleman. "They have been incredibly consistent at practices, and although we had a handful of errors, this team stayed positive and continued to play up with confidence. I cannot wait to continue to surprise everyone and dominate! This is the start of something special, and only the beginning of a dynasty here at Iona."

Next up will be Iona vs Morgan State in Baltimore on Monday, Feb 19, and on March 3 Baylor University, the #1 ranked team in the preseason poll, travels to New Rochelle for a match against the Gaels.