Photo courtesy of Oregon Acrobatics and Tumbling

Oregon acrobatics and tumbling head coach Taylor Susnara is welcoming another former NCATA athlete to her coaching staff.

Just over a month after former assistant coach Karly Nowak left the program to pursue a career in nursing, Susnara added former Gannon University athlete Ashley Fallgren to a staff that already included Jacie Van de Zilver.

Fallgren, from Beaverton, OR., was a base and tumbler at Gannon, in Erie, PA. Per Oregon, she also competed in every event in her career. While she’s never been a part of a coaching staff at the NCATA level, she spent 2020-2024 completing two degrees at Gannon and has coached at the youth level in Tigard, OR. The Golden Knights have never won an National Collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling Association title, but qualified for the final twice, in 2022 and 2024.

“Ashley was a base and tumbler during her time as a student-athlete, so I’m excited to add some new techniques and perspectives to our ‘bucket,’ Susnara said in a press release. “She brings calm, fun energy, so I’m looking forward to getting things going in a couple of weeks!”

Fallgren joins Susnara, who remains on a contract that runs through the 2028 season, and likely Van de Zilver, who has not yet been announced with a renewed deal after she signed for one year before the 2024-2025 season.

“I am incredibly grateful and excited for this new journey at the University of Oregon,” Fallgren said. “Working alongside Coach T and Coach Jacie – building up athletes to believe in all they are capable of is my biggest goal, and I can’t wait to see what this program accomplishes this season!”

The Ducks qualified for the NCATA Championship final in 2024 after going 5-2 in the regular season, but lost to longtime rival Baylor University in the ultimate round. Oregon did not face the Golden Knights over the past two seasons, but went 1-1 with them in two matchups between 2022 and 2023.