FROSTBURG, Md. - The Frostburg State Acrobatics & Tumbling team secured their first-ever MEC Championship with a 265.545-260.610 victory over Fairmont State in Bobcat Arena on Saturday afternoon. 

The Bobcats got off to a winning start in the compulsory event with a 37.20-36.35 advantage after the four heats. Frostburg earned top marks in the pyramid (9.725) and toss (9.675) heats, with the Fighting Falcons also impressing in both with a 9.50 in each heat. In the toss event, the Bobcats expanded their lead with a commanding score of 27.775-25.425. Frostburg excelled in the 5-Element (9.425) and 7-Element (9.625), winning the first two heats while Fairmont equaled their score in the 7-Element with a 9.625 of their own. 

As each side has done all season, the teams were nearly inseparable in the pyramid event, with neither scoring below a 9.475. The Bobcats narrowly won 29.25-28.875, earning outstanding marks of 9.75, 9.625, and 9.875 in the inversion, synchronized, and open heats, respectively. Not far behind, the Falcons scored 9.725, 9.475, and 9.675 in their respective heats. At halftime, Frostburg held a 94.225-90.650 advantage. 

Coming out of the half, Fairmont was able to take their first event in the toss, winning by a slight 27.875-27.725 scoreline. They recorded their best scores in both the synchronized (9.35) and open (9.65) heats, while the Bobcats were just behind with a 9.60 in the open. 

The tumbling event kept things close throughout, with Frostburg earning the advantage in the individual passes on their way to winning the event 53.525-52.825. Scores of 9.40 in the Aerial, 9.55 in the 6-Element, and a whopping 9.85 in the Open pass paved the way. The Falcons would score highest in the Aerial (9.30) and Open (9.575) passes. Heading into the team event final, the Bobcats maintined a lead of 175.475-171.350. 

In an impressive performance, Frostburg would prevent any hope of a Fairmont comeback by winning the sixth and final event 90.070-89.260 to secure the Championship 265.545-260.610. 

With the victory, Frostburg is now 10-2 on the year, while the Falcons sit at 9-2. Both teams will now await the final NCATA national rankings, of which the top eight teams in the country will earn the right to compete at the National Finals in West Liberty, WV from Thursday, April 27 through Saturday, April 29. Information and updates will be posted to frostburgsports.com.