Final Results

Franklin Springs, Ga.----The top-seeded and 14th-ranked Wingate University Bulldogs came up just short in the championship meet of the 2026 Conference Carolinas Acro & Tumbling tournament Sunday afternoon, falling 257.680-257.010 against second-seeded and 12th-ranked Lander University. The Bearcats move to 9-2 overall, while the Bulldogs fall to 10-1 on the season.

Lander grabbed a slight 36.925-36.800 lead in the Compulsory section. The 'Dogs posted impressive scores in the Pyramid Heat (9.60), Toss Heat (9.475) and the Acro Heat (9.375). Wingate grabbed the lead in the Acro section, outscoring the Bearcats 28.20-27.90 thanks to a 9.550 in the 5-Element Heat and a 9.475 in the 7-Element Heat. The 'Dogs took a 65-64.825 lead heading to the Pyramid section.

The Bulldogs had a huge showing in the Pyramid section, with a 9.925 in the Open Heat, a 9.80 in the Inversion Heat and a 9.70 in the Synchronized Heat to pile up 29.425 out of a possible 30. The Toss section was highlighted by a 9.400 in the 450 Salto, as the teams entered the Tumbling section in a near dead heat.

The 'Dogs outscored the Bearcats in the Tumbling section 52-51.30 to take the lead into the team event. Wingate posted a 9.625 in the 6-Element Pass, a 9.450 in the Open Pass and a 9.100 in the Aerial Pass. It all came down to the team event, with the Bearcats edging the Bulldogs 85.430-83.910 to turn a one-point deficit into less than a one-point victory.