BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. -- Fairmont State Acrobatics & Tumbling has been picked to finish second in the Mountain East Conference this year with three first-place votes. West Liberty collected the top spot as the Hilltoppers had 34 total points with four first-place votes as announced by the conference office this afternoon.
The Fighting Falcons were recognized yesterday by The National Collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling Association with being ranked No. 8 in the nation. Fairmont State finished 2021 on top of the Mountain East Conference after successfully defending its 2019 Acrobatics & Tumbling Championship on April 10th, 2021. The Falcons return fifth-year senior
Alexis Smith who was named to the NCATA All-American Team in 2021 and also earned MEC Acrobatics and Tumbling Athlete of the Year. Fairmont State Acrobatics & Tumbling base
Peyton Barnes earned national recognition as well by being named to the NCATA All-Academic Team in 2021. 18 Fairmont State student-athletes were announced to the NCATA Academic Honor Roll in 2021.
The Falcons are guided by second-year Head Acrobatics & Tumbling Coach
Danielle Cutri who led Fairmont State to a 7-0 overall record in 2021 and was named MEC Coach of the Year in 2021. In addition to Cutri, Fairmont State headlined the 2021 MEC awards with
Alexis Smith being named Athlete of the Year,
Ansley Froman selected as the Specialist of the Year, and
Kathryn Koehl as the Freshman of the Year. The Falcons led the way in the MEC with four honorees on the All-MEC First Team with Smith, Froman,
Kandyce Blocker, and
Gabriela Lesko.
Fairmont State Acrobatics & Tumbling begins its season on Sunday, February 13th with a tri-meet against Alderson Broaddus and Frostburg State inside Joe Retton Arena.
The 2022 MEC Championship will be held April 8-9 on the campus of Fairmont State University.
2022 Mountain East Conference Acrobatics & Tumbling Preseason Poll
1. West Liberty -- 34 (4)
2. Fairmont State -- 33 (3)
3. Frostburg State -- 24
4. Glenville State -- 18
5. West Virginia Wesleyan -- 17
6. Davis & Elkins -- 12
7. Alderson Broaddus -- 6
