PITTSBURGH - Duquesne Vice President of Athletics Dave Harper announced today that Michaela Soper has been named head coach of DU's recently-added acrobatics and tumbling program.

Soper comes to the Bluff from Limestone University, where she served as head coach for the past four seasons. The Gannon University graduate guided the Saints to a program-best semifinal finish at the 2023 National Collegiate Acrobatics & Tumbling Association (NCATA) National Championships. Sixth-seeded Limestone was the first member of Conference Carolinas to advance in the championship tournament.

"Michaela shared a clear and articulate version of her plan for this new program," said Harper. "She also defined the student-athlete experience and her competitive aspirations exceptionally well. We look forward to launching acrobatics and tumbling under Michaela's leadership."

One of the top young coaches in the nation, Soper earned Conference Carolinas Coach of the Year honors in both 2021 and 2022. She led Limestone to a 23-2 record and back-to-back conference titles (15-0 in conference play) over the past two seasons. Limestone did not lose a regular season match over that two-year span.

"I am honored to be offered the opportunity to build and lead this program," said Soper. "I am thankful to be able to continue my passion for growing this sport. I welcome the chance to coach young women across the country who are interested in collegiate athletics and ready to make history.

"Duquesne is a place where a sport like acrobatics and tumbling - as well as the student-athletes who compete in it - can be successful. I am proud to be a Duke and look forward to developing the program to represent the values and mission of this prestigious university. I am grateful for my family, mentors, past coaches, former team members, and staff who have all played a pivotal role in my success. I value my past experiences and will take with me that knowledge and expertise to build a solid foundation here at Duquesne."

Under Soper's leadership, Limestone produced three NCATA All-Americans (Jessica Rubbo in 2021, Brooke McAfee in 2022 and Cameron King in 2023) and a pair of NCATA All-Academic honorees (Rylee Rossman in 2022 and Janai Brown in 2023). She also brought home the first national title for a women's sport in Limestone athletics history with a 2022 Open Pyramid National Championship.

Soper joined the staff at Limestone as an assistant in August of 2018 - prior to that program's inaugural season. She was promoted to head coach in the summer of 2019. Her career record stands at 29-7, including a 19-2 mark in conference competition.

Limestone earned the highest NCATA rank in program history - No. 5 in 2021 - under Soper, and maintained the number six seed in each of the two following seasons. The Saints clinched their first-ever NCATA Championship appearance in 2022 and were the only Division II team to make it to the semifinals in 2023.

Soper, who is committed to growing the sport of acrobatics and tumbling, has served on the scoring committee for the NCATA and is active in the NCATA Mentor program, which focuses on teaching and guiding young coaches. She is also a WeCoach Academy Graduate Class #49 and is a member of the Women Coaches Academy. Soper also served as the Conference Carolinas Committee Chair this past season.

As a student-athlete, Soper competed as a base, back, top and tumbler at Gannon. The two-time Eastern College Athletic Conference All-Academic Team member also spent her time coaching and organizing camps and clinics for young acrobatics and tumbling athletes.

Soper, a native of  Fallston, Md., graduated from Gannon in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Sport and Exercise Science. She completed her Master's Degree in Business Administration (management and leadership) at Limestone.

While working toward her undergraduate degree, Soper gained valuable coaching experience by holding positions at Harford Gymnastics Training Center, Stars Cheerleading and Bas Melech Performance Arts Center in her home state of Maryland.

Duquesne announced the addition of the acrobatics and tumbling program - along with women's golf and women's triathlon - last April, bringing the University's number of sport offerings to 20. Acrobatics and tumbling, which is being established in 2023-24, will begin competition in the fall of 2024.

Soper will begin recruiting Duquesne's inaugural roster immediately.