By Nick Valentin
Acrobatics is a skill that is not easily acquired by many. However, the ladies at King University somehow make it look effortless. With the season fast approaching, the King University Acrobatics & Tumbling team looks to have another strong and successful season with hopes to top the last.
After finishing 7-1 in the Conference Carolinas the previous year and 8-2 overall, King found themselves second in overall standings in their respective conference. The team was primed for a run at the Conference Carolinas finals. Unfortunately, The Tornado fell to Converse University in a closely competitive matchup, with the score being 258.120 Converse to King’s 249.865, ending their season. The Tornado will be looking for redemption this year after finishing the season in a way they had not hoped. The team will be getting after it this spring, with aspirations for a Conference Carolinas championship. The Tornado has not been in the Conference Carolinas finals since 2021.
So, who will be leading the charge for the Tornado this spring season? For starters, there will be a change in scenery at the head coaching position, with Molly Hanley taking over the helm for the team. A two-time first-team All-Conference Carolinas performer at her Alma Mater, Belmont Abbey, Hanley is more than qualified to lead this team. Also contributing to the success of the Tornado this year and last are seniors Katie Christian, Liz Medved, Kharissa Norvell, Alexis Marquith, and Camiel Oliver. Each is vital to the program’s success as Christian and Medved assisted in season-high scores in separate events, and Marquith and Oliver contributed to a program record score of 9.90 in the compulsory pyramid in a win over West Liberty last season. See this webpage for the entire team roster.
Moreover, underclassmen Madeline Robinson and Alyssa Talabac will also be returning, as the two had very impactful seasons as freshmen last season. Robinson was Conference Carolinas freshman of the month in March, while Talabac was named second-team All-Conference Carolinas. And as if they were not skilled enough, The Tornado recruited freshman newcomers Vanessa Neubauer, Caroline Etter, Bridget Sweeny, and Taylor Sharp, who have a lot to offer this team.
The ladies of King will begin their season Monday, February 13, at Lander University. The Tornado will undoubtedly be comfortable to start with this matchup as they are 2-0 lifetime against Lander, with their last matchup being a blowout win for the Tornado. This is an exciting time for King University as one of its best teams prepares to hit the ground running in just a few weeks. The Tornado Acrobatic & Tumbling team has all the right cards in place to have one of their best seasons yet. With proper motivation and unrelenting determination, the hopes are high for the Tornado to win it all this year.
If you are interested in joining the King University Acrobatics & Tumbling team at King University, email Coach Hanley at mlhanley@king.edu or visit this webpage to be recruited. For images and more information about the Acrobatics & Tumbling team at King University or to see the team’s schedule, see this webpage.
