The Oregon acrobatics and tumbling team has largely succeeded in its first two meets. It set a four-year high in points in its opener and looked to have integrated several new pieces before its marquee home meet of the season. But the Ducks have had one consistent problem in their quest for a first national title since 2014.
Really, it’s just one program.
Against No. 1 Baylor University on Feb. 22, that came to bear. Oregon hung with the nation’s best program for five events and even made a comeback to draw within two points before the team event. Those are all positives.
Last year, when the two faced each other at Matthew Knight Arena, the scenario was similar. Oregon lost every event except for tumbling, but still stayed close and trailed by just 1.25 points through five events. In the team event, though, the Ducks put up a subpar score (86.67) and lost by more than eight points.
It was the same story in 2025. A strong performance and a tumbling event win weren’t enough to overcome a team event that struggled with a fall in the acro portion for the second week in a row and a step off the mat in the tumbling portion.
It’s a frustrating spot for the Ducks, who have continually performed in the nation’s top echelon but can’t get over the hump. This was a missed opportunity, and a big one.
The season isn’t over, though.
The benefit of Oregon’s monster schedule is that it provides several more of these chances — and a bye week before the team to reboot.
There was a lot to like from the Ducks’ performances through two weeks: a perfect 10.0 score against Baylor proved that the pyramid event is still going to be an anchor for head coach Taylor Susnara’s program, and freshmen who have already put up some of the team’s best scores will continue to gain collegiate competition experience.
Oregon faces No. 2 Quinnipiac University, No. 3 Gannon University, No. 5 University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and No. 8 Iona University in the next four meets. Each will be an ample test, one that will prepare them for another bout with the Baylor Bears on April 5.
Susnara talked about the nerves of the meet, which she said after the Baylor meet got to Oregon during the team event. She’s looked to install mental strength throughout her tenure in Eugene, and it’ll be a major boost if she can bring that philosophy to new athletes over the break.
Some of that learning will have to be on the road, where Oregon hasn’t been yet this year. The Ducks open their season with their only four home meets of the year. Two (Gannon and UMHB) remain to be competed at Matthew Knight Arena, but Oregon heads to the East Coast afterward for meets with Iona and Quinnipiac. The program went 2-1 in true road meets (non-championship) last year, but didn’t win against a team ranked higher than sixth and lost its only top-five matchup to No. 1 Baylor.
Despite a disappointing result and persistent mistakes through the first two weeks, the door is still open for Oregon. The Ducks have done more than enough to prove they can compete with top teams — even if resulted in a loss against the Bears — and should take confidence into the gauntlet of meets that await. If they head into their April 5 date with Baylor with wins in their pocket, they’ll have another shot at the champs.
