BUFFALO, NY – After their debut in 2024, the Buffalo State acrobatics and tumbling team is set to return to the mats for year two of action. The Bengals will hit the road as they will battle Gannon and Trine tonight beginning at 6:00 pm.
Head Coach Alia Stark enters year two of leading the Bengals. After laying down the foundation of a brand-new sport a year ago, Stark is excited to see the next steps for the program as they begin competition in 2025.
“The returners from last year have done a great job at laying down the foundation”, Stark exclaimed.
“It has been a lot of fun watching everyone fall in love with the sport and to be really excited going into their first meet.”
Learning a new sport is never easy. With Buffalo State being the first Division III program in New York State a year ago, the Bengals set the bar is what is becoming a fast-growing sport at the collegiate level.
“For a lot of them they are coming from a club team as opposed to a high school team. It is more the identity of competing for Buffalo State and for each other. Having the resources that Buffalo State has given them as student-athletes and knowing the history of our sport as the only sport created for women by women is exciting. Once they compete for the first time the excitement and uniqueness of our sport are unmatched”, Stark added.
From last year’s inaugural team, eight Bengals return to the team including Lucy Ingro (Newfane, NY/Newfane), Bri Rohrer (Cheektowaga, NY/Depew) and Adrienne Gardner (Fairfield, CA/St. Patrick-St. Vincent) who each earned recognition at the NCATA National Meet a year ago.
Ingro was a NCATA First Team All-Tournament selection while Rohrer and Gardner earned Second Team All-Tournament. The trio was a staple for the Bengals across their first season and Stark hopes not only them, but the other returning faces, can help continue to build the program.
“They’ve done a phenomenal job with leadership and will only continue to get better”, Stark said.
“I am excited to continue to see their skill level grow and rally around this program.
After opening this season at Gannon, the Bengals will return home next weekend to host Calvin (Feb. 22) for their first home meet of the season. Buffalo State will then host Adrian and Concordia Wisconsin (Mar. 2) for their first ever home tri-meet. Stark’s team will finish the regular season on the road at Stevenson (Mar. 21) and Duquesne (Apr. 6).
This year will feature another special first for the Bengals as they will also host the NCATA Division III Tournament from April 10-12.
“I think it is going to be unique bringing the championship to Buffalo. It is such a growing sport, and the community of Buffalo will be able to see it in action”, Stark exclaimed.
“We are excited to host and share the excitement and uniqueness with everyone.”
The growth of acrobatics and tumbling in Buffalo continues to shine out of Buffalo State. After kick-starting their program last year, the Bengals are poised to continue their build to a premier program in the sport.
Credits:
Buffalo State Athletic Communications