FAIRMONT, W.Va. -- The seventh-ranked Fairmont State acrobatics & tumbling team opened the season with an impressive 269.385-253.775 victory over West Liberty on Saturday afternoon at Joe Retton Arena. The matchup was between the top two teams in the 2020 MEC preseason poll for acrobatics & tumbling.
 
Fairmont State was victorious in all six events on the afternoon and outscored the Hilltoppers in all but four heats during the victory.
 
Fairmont State improved to 1-0 on the season with the win. WLU falls to 1-1.
 
Fairmont State opened up nearly a five-point lead in the opening half after outscoring the Hilltoppers in eight of the 10 heats in the first three events. The Falcons' first half performance was highlighted by a 9.80 in compulsory pyramid, a 9.75 in compulsory toss, a 9.70 in six-element acro, a 9.75 in synchronized pyramid, and a meet-high 9.90 in the open pyramid.
 
After leading 94.15-89.70 at halftime, Fairmont State added one point to its lead with a victory in the toss event, before gaining some separation with a 53.225-50.525 win in the tumbling event.
 
Fairmont State shined in the solo tumbling passes on Saturday, with Caitlyn Faint recording a 9.50 in the aerial pass, freshman Sophia Del Greco tallying a 9.60 in the six-element pass, and junior Alexis Smith turning in a 9.475 in the open pass.
 
The Falcons also outscored the Hilltoppers 95.11-87.65 in the team event to wrap up the meet.
 
Fairmont State will return to action next Saturday with a tri-meet against West Virginia Wesleyan and Urbana. The meet is set for a 1 p.m. start in Buckhannon.