In just her second year at Baylor, acrobatics and tumbling coach Felecia Mulkey did something no other Baylor coach has ever done -- win back-to-back national championships.
In fact, the Bears' win over Oregon Tuesday night at the Ferrell Center marked an unbelievable sixth straight national championship for Mulkey, who won four in a row (2011-12-13-14) as head coach at Oregon before leading Baylor to the title the last two seasons (2015-16). The win was made that much sweeter since it came on the Bears' home floor, as Baylor hosted the National Collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling Association (NCATA) National Championships this past week at the Ferrell Center.
At this point, you might be wondering... Just what is acrobatics and tumbling? Formerly known as competitive cheer, the sport began in its current form in 2011. Think gymnastics, but without any of the equipment -- no rings, no balance beams, no bars. Instead, acrobatics and tumbling focuses on the intersection of cheerleading and gymnastics: tumbling, tosses, acrobatic lifts, and pyramids. (You can read more here.) At the collegiate level, the sport's oversight comes from NCATA, rather than the NCAA; you can learn more about the Baylor team here.
The A&T victory marks Baylor's sixth varsity athletic team national title, following men's tennis (2004), women's basketball (2005 & 2012), equestrian (2012) and acrobatics and tumbling (2015).
Sic 'em, Baylor A&T! Well done ladies.
In fact, the Bears' win over Oregon Tuesday night at the Ferrell Center marked an unbelievable sixth straight national championship for Mulkey, who won four in a row (2011-12-13-14) as head coach at Oregon before leading Baylor to the title the last two seasons (2015-16). The win was made that much sweeter since it came on the Bears' home floor, as Baylor hosted the National Collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling Association (NCATA) National Championships this past week at the Ferrell Center.
At this point, you might be wondering... Just what is acrobatics and tumbling? Formerly known as competitive cheer, the sport began in its current form in 2011. Think gymnastics, but without any of the equipment -- no rings, no balance beams, no bars. Instead, acrobatics and tumbling focuses on the intersection of cheerleading and gymnastics: tumbling, tosses, acrobatic lifts, and pyramids. (You can read more here.) At the collegiate level, the sport's oversight comes from NCATA, rather than the NCAA; you can learn more about the Baylor team here.
The A&T victory marks Baylor's sixth varsity athletic team national title, following men's tennis (2004), women's basketball (2005 & 2012), equestrian (2012) and acrobatics and tumbling (2015).
Sic 'em, Baylor A&T! Well done ladies.
