Concordia University Wisconsin’s acrobatics and tumbling team traveled to Texas for the 2026 NCATA National Championships, where they competed as the No. 2 seed in pursuit of a national title.
The trip offered more than competition, giving the team time to prepare mentally and bond through shared experiences leading up to and throughout the tournament.
After arriving, the team attended a banquet hosted by East Texas Baptist University, where teams gathered to socialize and share a meal before competition began. Earning the No. 2 seed granted Concordia a bye day, allowing athletes time to adjust, practice, and enjoy the Texas weather. The day began with a 9 a.m. practice, followed by time back at the hotel, where the team stayed for better food options and activities.
Later that afternoon, the team took a break from competition intensity. After lunch, they relaxed at a rented pool, using the time to reset before their semifinal matchup against Trine University. That evening, the team went to dinner together at Papacita’s.
On competition day, the Falcons left the hotel around 9 a.m., listening to music and building energy for the meet. Facing Trine in the semifinals, Concordia maintained the lead throughout, though the outcome came down to the final event—a common scenario between the two teams. Concordia secured the win with a score of 216.635 to 203.580, advancing to the championship meet against the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.
Following the victory, the team celebrated together at a local venue with food trucks and live music, spending time with family, taking photos, and returning to the hotel.
The next day featured event finals, during which Concordia qualified for seven events. Although the team did not win any titles, they maintained strong energy and support for one another. After a quick turnaround, they competed in the championship meet. While Concordia fell short, they achieved a season-high score of 9.5 in their synchronized pyramid.
Nationals was about more than the results for Concordia’s acrobatics and tumbling team. It was the quality time, connection, and celebration of their hard work throughout the season that made the experience just as valuable as the competition itself.
— Grace Partain is a writer for The Beacon. She is a Mass Communication major graduating in 2027. She is a member of the acrobatics and tumbling team.