MARSHALL, Texas – The Trine University acrobatics and tumbling team advanced to the semifinal round of the 2026 NCATA Division III Tournament after defeating the host institution team from East Texas Baptist University by the score of 217.110 to 208.655.

The Thunder opened the day with a historic Compulsory Event, the fourth best in program history. They won the event 33.95 to 27.68. They had the second-best toss heat score with a 9.58 and a fifth best score of 7.13 in the tumbling heat. They were also strong in the pyramid heat with a 9.13 and posted an 8.13 in the acro heat.

Trine struggled some in the Acro Event but still pulled off a win by the score of 20.35 to 19.18. Their best score came in the third heat with an 8.20. They also were solid in the first heat with a 7.75.

The Pyramid was another strong showing for the Thunder but also for the Tigers, the visitors still came up with the win 27.18 to 26.80. Their best score came in the open heat  with a 9.58, but they also surpassed nine with a 9.20 in the synchronized heat. They started the event with an 8.40 in the inversion heat.

The Toss Event was another historic one, a tenth best performance for the program. They won the event 25.43 to 24.70. They tied for seventh in the record book with an 8.85 in the 450 salto heat. Then they followed that with an 8.38 in the synchronized heat, the fifth best showing for the team. They finished with a solid 8.20 in the open heat.

Trine suffered their first event loss of the day in the Tumbling Event, falling 41.150 to 41.825. The highlight of the event was the "6 element" pass where they had the highest score in program history with an 8.375. They finished strong in the aerial pass with an 8.300.

Trine took an eight-point lead into the Team Event. The two teams virtually tied with ETBU winning 69.08 to 69.06, but that still secured the victory for the Thunder. The team's 217.110 total was the third best total of the season.

"I am just really proud of this team and how they pulled together out there and still had fun," said head coach Mikayla Sutherland, "Despite having to make last minute changes and the meet going longer than expected, they got out there, they trusted each other and it worked out well."

Trine improves to 6-2 overall after the victory. They will now face second-seeded Concordia University Wisconsin tomorrow, Friday, April 10. This marks the third time the two teams have faced off in a meet this season. The Thunder won the first meeting but dropped the second. Tomorrow's semifinal contest is set to start at 3 p.m. CT / 4 p.m. ET.