By: Madyson Kosar
Sept. 1, 2021, Emily Hosler was named the first Acrobatics and Tumbling head coach in Stevenson’s history. Hosler’s arrival at Stevenson comes after two seasons as head coach at Alderson Broaddus College in Philippi, West Virginia, where she was an athlete on their
the inaugural team during the 2012-2013 season.
Acrobatics and Tumbling is Stevenson’s newest sport and the 28th varsity sport at the University. The team is one of six Division III programs in the nation and the 39th member of the National Collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling Association.
Hosler has also served as a graduate assistant coach at West Liberty University, a prominent Division II program in West Virginia.
Next to Hosler, the Mustangs announced the addition of Assistant Coach, Danielle Samuel. Samuel is a Randallstown Maryland native and a 2021 Gannon University graduate. Samuel was a four-year member of the Gannon University acrobatics and tumbling team, where she became a national champion in the inversion pyramid event in 2018. Samuel was a top contributor to her team, having achieved a top 8 ranking all four years that she was at Gannon University.
Assistant coach Daniel Samuel participating in a floor event at Gannon University 2021
Acrobatics and Tumbling combines elements of gymnastics, cheerleading, acrobatics, and power tumbling, and each meet consists of six events: Compulsory, Acro, Pyramid, Toss, Tumbling, and Team. Athletes perform individual tumbling passes, as well as small group stunts, and compete for the highest total score out of 300 points.
Acrobatics and Tumbling were adopted by the NCAA as an emerging sport for women in all three divisions for the 2020-2021 academic year. It will achieve championship status only after it reaches at least 40 varsity programs; 37 out of the 39 members of the NCATA (National Collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling) are currently recognized as NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) varsity sports.
The Mustangs are set to begin competition on February 19, 2022, when they meet Frostburg State University at home. Fans can keep up with the newest Mustang team by following them on Instagram, @stevensonacrotumbling, and Twitter, @SU_AcroTumbling.