Page 17 - The Buzz 05/15/2026

MAY 15 - 28, 2026 The SPORTS |B5
Fighting Muskies STUNT team Tornadoes host Tuscarawas

took National Runner-Up for Valley in playoff intro action

second consecutive season on Wednesday BY MATTHEW DOTSON | THE BUZZ

BY MATTHEW DOTSON | THE BUZZ
routines featuring partner stunts,
tumbling, jumps, and pyramids. The
sport has continued to gain populari-
ty across the Midwest, and Musking-
um’s success this season placed the
university among the nation’s pre-
mier programs.
The team’s national tournament
run drew significant support from
students, faculty, and local resi-
dents. Watch parties were organized
on campus, and community mem-
Reily Rogers bers followed the Muskies’ progress
throughout the postseason.
Fans packed the recreation center
The Muskingum University stunt
team finished as the Division III na- during the team’s home performanc-
tional runner-up after a 25–20 loss es this year, creating an electric at-
to George Fox in the National Cham- mosphere that athletes said fueled
pionship game at Lipscomb Univer- their confidence. Many students who
sity in Nashville, Tenn. The Muskies had never attended a stunt competi-
entered the tournament as the top- tion before became regular support- Tornado Cooper West attempts a double play as TV’s Oliver Baker slid into second base.
ranked team in Division III and had ers by the end of the season. Matthew Dotson
just taken their third straight Amer- In addition to success on the mat,
ica East STUNT Conference Cham- the team also excelled academical- Vs. Tri-Valley (5/13) M’s scoring in the game before Cam-
pionship. Muskingum advanced to ly, with several athletes earning con- When the Scotties came to visit bridge took the 7 – 1 win.
the Nationals final by defeating the ference academic honors during the on Wednesday, the Tornadoes’ de-
number 4-seeded Misericordia 25– school year. Coaches emphasized fense was ready. Both teams battled Vs. Morgan (5/07)
18 in the quarterfinals and number that maintaining strong grades re- without a score for three innings. The Tornadoes’ batting lineup was
2 George Fox 26–21 in semi-final ac- mained just as important as athletic Tri-Valley put up a run in the top of on point Thursday as they hosted
tion. achievement. the fourth, and West answered with the Raiders. Ashton Ansel started
Competing against some of the top Although the season ended one the tying run in the bottom of the in- scoring for West with a single that
collegiate stunt teams in the coun- step short of a national champion- ning, 1 – 1. The Dawgs grabbed a drove in Dollings, 1 – 0. Lynn hit a
try, Muskingum battled through a ship, several talented underclass- go-ahead run in the sixth inning to fielder’s choice that brought in Silas
demanding schedule before advanc- men are expected to return next lead 2 – 1, and they held the advan- Kuhn, 2 – 0, to round out the first in-
ing to the national championship season, and expectations around the tage until the bottom of the seventh ning. Ethan Loyd scored a forced run
event, where the Muskies delivered program continue to rise after the inning when Ashton Ansel hit into a in the second inning, 3 – 0. Preston
a series of strong performances that second consecutive time the team fielder’s choice to drive in Grady Doll- Farrell grounded to shortstop, allow-
showcased the team’s athleticism, finished Runner-Up. ings. Ansel went on to score on an ing Kuhn and Dollings to score, 5 – 0.
discipline, and determination. error to take the win 3 – 2. Kuhn drove in Dollings in the bottom
The season included several sig- The Tornadoes will play Tuscara- of the third to score the Tornadoes’
nature victories over regional rivals was Valley on Wednesday at home, sixth run. Farrell stepped up to the
and nationally ranked opponents, at 5 PM, in their intro to the postsea- plate to hit a three-run homer shortly
helping Muskingum gain momen- son. after, 9 – 0. Cooper West hit a double
tum heading into postseason com- in the inning to drive in Lynn and Am-
petition. Throughout the year, the Vs. Cambridge (5/08) ari Harris, 11 – 0. Morgan had a sin-
team became known for its clean The Bobcats took a 1 – 0 lead after gle home run in the top of the fourth,
routines, difficult pyramids, and con- the first inning on their visit to West 11 – 1. Ansel hit a single to left field
sistent execution under pressure. Muskingum on Friday. The following in the bottom of the inning to bring
Stunt, a rapidly expanding colle- three innings came up dry before in Dollings and cancel the Morgan
giate sport, combines elements of Reily Rogers Cambridge rallied for four runs in the run. After a scoreless top of the fifth
cheerleading, gymnastics, and ac- top of the fifth to lead 5 – 0. Connor inning, the Tornadoes won 12 – 1 by
robatics into a competitive format Lynn hit a single that drove in Brax- way of the Mercy rule.
where teams face off in synchronized ton Brownrigg for the extent of West