ROCKLIN, Calif. - After two weeks away from the competitive mat, the No. 19 Fresno Pacific stunt team traveled over to the Warrior Classic hosted by Jessup University, March 5-7. The Sunbirds kicked off the tournament with an opening match against No. 14 Vanguard and were neck-in-neck until the final quarter, where they ultimately fell to the Lions 15-27.

Stunt is broken down into four quarters of competition that consists of multiple rounds of pre-choreographed routines. Both teams go head-to-head on the competition floor performing these routines side by side for the judging panel. Quarter 1 is Partner Stunts, the second quarter is Pyramids and Tosses, the third is Jumps and Tumbling, and the fourth is a combination of all the three previous quarters, Team Routine. Since the fourth quarter is a combined routine with three segments, the points are awarded for each category. Teams can score up to six points per round depending on how well they perform each segment.

The Sunbirds gained a two-point lead in the first quarter of Partner Stunts. Although Vanguard nearly tied it up, the 'Birds continued to garner the judges' approval as they hit the next routine with ease. Heading into Pyramids and Tosses, both teams captured a point to tie it up again at five, then another dual point was awarded to the 'Birds and Lions, making it 6-6 at the half.

Coming out of the break, the Sunbirds did a brilliant job at executing the first routine of Jumps and Tumbling even though the Lions slowly started to inch ahead. At one point, the Lions challenged the 'Birds for incorrect counts on a routine, but it fell short as the original call was upheld by the judges. The Lady 'Birds celebrated the small victory and kept the good energy rolling! The Blue and Orange trailed by a single point until the closing routine of the round allowed them to tie up at 10. However, team stunts set the two teams apart as the Sunbirds struggled to capture more points, collecting five overall in the quarter.

In the end, FPU lost to Vanguard 15-27 to wrap up the first day of the Warrior Classic.

"Of course, we're super proud of what we did," mentioned head coach Alyssa Trout. "I think my expectation was only seven points, but Vanguard was scared going into the fourth that a first year team was gonna beat them. Our goal was a couple of points against a nine-year program and we did that."
 

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