FULLERTON, Calif. -- Head Coach Salonia Harper's tenure in command of the Vanguard STUNT team began today at the Hope International Royal Rumble, and the Lions won both contests.  VU defeated Grand Canyon 12-2 and UC Davis 25-14 to open the 2026 season and give the squad and Coach Harper a 2-0 mark.
 
VU 12 GCU 2 
The Blue and Gold took the only three points in the first half, as the squad secured two points in the first quarter of partner stunts and one in second period pyramids and tosses.  GCU picked up its lone point in the third frame of jumps and tumbling, though Vanguard countered with three victories.  In the fourth quarter of the combined routines, the Lions tallied a 6-1 edge to comfortably win by 10.
 
VU 26 UCD 14
Vanguard won every quarter, though UC Davis was not far off in the second half.  The Blue and Gold were dominant in the first and second quarters, taking each by a score of 3-1.  Ahead 6-2, the Lions saw the Aggies equal them stride-for-stride in the third period, as each team racked up four points.  Now ahead 10-6, VU used their first and second quarter success again in the fourth interval, as the team doubled up UCD 16-8 for a convincing 26-14 victory.
 
What's Next?  The Lions return to HIU tomorrow for a 2:00 p.m. game against Northwest Nazarene and a 3:00 p.m. game against Trevecca Nazarene.