ROCKLIN, Calif. -- The Vanguard University STUNT team started the 2022 STUNT NAIA Division National Tournament with two wins to proceed to the championship match. VU defeated Hope International 18-1 and then the #2 seed William Jessup 16-6. VU goes to 15-3 on the year and needs just one more win to pick up its second straight National Championship. The team will play either HIU or WJU on Saturday at 4:00 p.m.
VU 18 HIU 1: The Lions were perfect during the first quarter of partner stunts, picking up all four points that were up for grabs. The team then won the first two points of the second quarter, going up 6-0 during the pyramids and tosses. The Royals then snagged their only point of the match during the third routine, but the Blue and Gold went into halftime ahead 7-1.
The first three jump and tumbling routines all went to the Lions but no team was awarded points in the final routine, making the score 10-1 heading into the fourth quarter. With all the different disciplines blended into one flowing performance, VU upped the ante and Hope could not keep up. Vanguard took the maximum three points in the first two routines and then the only two points awarded during the final routine. Holding the Royals off the board, VU advanced to the next game with the 18-1 victory.
VU 16 WJU 6: The Lions faced the Warriors after William Jessup beat Oklahoma City University 20-1. The #1 and #2 seeds squared off for the third time this year and once again, the Lions were the better team. VU started off hot by collecting all four points during the first quarter of partner stunts. Vanguard also nicked the first point of the second frame but the Warriors then bounced back, taking the next two routines to cut the lead to 5-2. The teams shared points in the final routine of pyramids and tosses, with VU taking a 6-3 lead into halftime.
William Jessup took the first point out of the break but the Lions took the second routine to keep the gap at three. The teams exchanged points over the final two routines, as the Blue and Gold took an 8-5 lead into the final period. The first routine was close, with the Lions taking two of the three points, but after that, VU showed why they are the top seed. The team was awarded the final six points of the game to win 16-6, pushing the squad to the championship bout on Saturday. William Jessup will now play Hope International tomorrow, as the Royals beat Missouri Baptist in the final game of the day. The winner will then face VU at 4:00 p.m. The Lions will have to be locked in though, as it will be a winner-take-all final.
What was Said? "What a great start to the tournament," said Head Coach Leslie Allen. "We are looking to bring the energy tomorrow!"
