EUGENE, Ore. – Azusa Pacific moved on in the NCATA National Championships, defeating seventh-seeded Fairmont State by a final score of 267.94-257.115 in quarterfinal action Thursday afternoon inside Matthew Knight Arena.

How It Happened:  In a quarterfinal pitting two of the sport's original members against each other, the Cougars came out with one of their better compulsory performances of the season, winning all four heats and building a lead of just over a point over the course of the event.  Newly-minted All-American Jessica Gill shone in the acro event, putting up a score of 9.725 in the five-element acro heat, and following it up with a 9.775 in the 7-element heat.  The Cougars won each heat in the event by at least six tenths of a point, extending their lead to over three points after two events.

Azusa Pacific continued to add to their lead in the pyramid event, with both the inverted and open pyramid heats earning scores north of 9.80.  Through three events, the Cougars were 10-10 in winning heats and enjoyed an advantage of 96.40-92.725 over the Falcons.  Azusa Pacific remained unbeaten on the day by sweeping the toss event, putting up their highest score of the day in the 450 salto toss, a 9.875.  The Cougars padded their lead to a full six points after the toss event.

Fairmont State would earn a pair of heat wins in the multi-athlete tumbling passes, winning both the trio and quad passes, but Azusa Pacific took the other four heats in the event, with the solo tumbling group of Jacie Van de Zilver, Gill, and Mckenna Dawson each putting up at least a 9.80 as the lead swelled to over seven and a half points.  While the team event had a few miscues, the Cougars still won the event 86.74-84.43, resulting in a 10-point victory and a ticket into Friday's semifinals.

By the Numbers:  Azusa Pacific won 17 heats plus the team event.  The Cougars have won four straight matchups against Fairmont State, though this was the first time the programs has faced off since 2017.  Azusa Pacific has now advanced to the NCATA semifinals in five consecutive seasons.