Pittsburgh, Pa. – Duquesne University acrobatics and tumbling head coach Michaela Soper announced the addition of the program's first graduate, Abby McDermott, to the coaching staff as assistant coach.

McDermott returns to the Bluff after completing a standout collegiate career that culminated with NCATA All-America Second Team honors in 2026. She became one of the first NCATA All-Americans in program history while helping the Dukes earn their first national championship tournament berth in just the program's second season.
 

"Abby has contributed to the program immensely since its inception and I am confident she will continue do so in this new role. She is truly passionate about the sport and I can't think of a better time for her to join the coaching ranks, as we embark on this new journey as an NCAA Championship Sport," said Soper.

A six-time NCATA Academic Honor Roll selection, McDermott spent her first four seasons at Glenville State before transferring to Duquesne as a graduate student. At Glenville State, she earned All-Mountain East Conference Second Team honors in 2023 and was a member of the silver medal-winning Five-Element Acro event at the 2023 MEC Individual Event Finals.

McDermott played a pivotal role during Duquesne's inaugural season in 2025, serving as the lone upperclassman on a roster featuring more than 30 freshmen and as one of only two student-athletes with prior acrobatics and tumbling experience. Her leadership helped guide the Dukes to a national ranking throughout the entirety of the program's first season.

The Leechburg, Pa., native earned two NCATA Weekly Honorable Mention selections during her final season. She competed in at least eight heats plus the team event in all seven meets and led the team by competing in nine heats five times.

McDermott was part of nine program-record performances during the season and contributed to Duquesne's highest-scoring heat in program history, a 9.95 in the Compulsory Toss against No. 10 Azusa Pacific. As the primary base in Duquesne's inversion pyramid, she helped the heat rank among the nation's top three during the regular season, scoring at least 9.75 in every meet, including a season-best 9.90 against Azusa Pacific. She also contributed to synchronized pyramid and synchronized toss heats that ranked among the nation's top 10.

Beyond her competitive success, McDermott was recognized as a finalist for the NCATA Colleen Kausrud Leadership Award for her dedication, leadership and commitment to the sport while also volunteering at youth acrobatics and tumbling camps to help mentor the next generation of athletes.

FOLLOW THE DUKES
Follow the Duquesne Acrobatics and Tumbling team online at GoDuquesne.com and on X and Instagram (@duqacrotumb).

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.