Pittsburgh, Pa. – Graduate student Abby McDermott and freshman Caileigh Kertis each earned weekly honorable mention nods from the National Collegiate Acrobatics & Tumbling Association (NCATA) on Wednesday following standout performances in Duquesne's top-10 matchup at No. 9 Gannon last week.

NCATA RELEASE

McDermott competed 10 times in the meet, including all three pyramid heats, helping lead the Dukes to a program-record 29.05 event score in pyramid. The fifth-year from Leechburg, Pa., earned honorable mention specialist of the week recognition.

Kertis collected her second consecutive honorable mention freshman of the week award to open her collegiate career. The Springfield, Pa., native competed eight times, with her units scoring 9.0 or higher in six of seven heats. The lone remaining heat tied a program best in synchronized toss with an 8.80 out of 9.40. Kertis also helped Duquesne post a 9.75 in compulsory pyramid and compulsory toss. The compulsory toss score tied a program record.

McDermott and Kertis were both part of the inversion pyramid that earned a program-best 9.85 out of 10, the highest score recorded by either team in the meet.

No. 7 Duquesne returns home to host No. 10 Azusa Pacific on Wednesday, March 4 at 6 p.m. for Kids Day. All home meets at UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse are free admission.

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ABOUT ACROBATICS & TUMBLING
Created in 2009, Acrobatics & Tumbling is the evolution of multiple gymnastics disciplines, incorporating the athletic elements of competitive cheerleading. The sport is sponsored by 52 NCAA varsity programs, with 47 teams competing this spring and more than 1,300 student-athletes nationwide. In January, Acrobatics & Tumbling was officially elevated from an NCAA Emerging Sport to an NCAA Championship Sport and will debut its first National Collegiate Championship in spring 2027. For more information, visit TheNCATA.org.