LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Central Arkansas STUNT team wrapped up its inaugural season on Saturday, dropping both games in the NCAA Tournament. After falling to the defending champion California Baptist, the Bears rounded out its season with a loss to UT Martin in the consolation bracket.
 
"Our team went out and competed harder than we ever have. Their execution in stunts and especially their tumbling was drastically improved from tournaments in the past and I think the girls finally got to experience what they've been putting all this work in for," Head coach Alyssa Morrow said after the games. "Our goal was to go out on that mat and perform everything like it was the last time we would ever do it and that's exactly what we did. The girls went out and left it all on the mat every single time."
 
Opening against the defending champions is never easy, but the Bears did it with as much fight as they could muster, battling for four quarters. Though Central Arkansas did not manage a point, the energy and experience was a good setup for the second game of the day, putting the Bears in a true win or go home situation.
 
As the second game started, the consolation bracket against UT Martin, the Bears struck early, scoring two points in the partner stunts. The team tallied another point in game two, picking up another point in the pyramids and tosses. But UT Martin would take over after halftime, scoring points in the second half to pull away 19-6. The six points tie the most that the Bears have scored against a Division I opponent.
 
"I think the beginning of the season was a little rocky because a majority of our team didn't know what to expect, but once they found their groove and gained a full understanding, we started to compete like a completely different team," Morrow continued. "By the end of our last game today everyone was so emotional and sad that it was over and I think that speaks immensely to how much we've faced and overcome as a first year team. We're all so excited to be paving the way for this program."