CALDWELL, N.J. -- With a school-record 9.65 score in the Compulsory Pyramid and second-highest Team Event tally of 68.52, Caldwell Acrobatics & Tumbling opened its 2026 season with a 212.92-53.55 triumph over American International College at the George R. Newman Center on Saturday afternoon.

The 12-member Pyramid squad was followed by the 11-athlete compulsory Toss at 9.5, setting the tone for a day in which the Cougars notched the fourth-highest score in school history.

Caldwell scored 8.0 r better in five other events, including the 7-Element acro squad of senior Kaytence Vining (Latham, N.Y.), freshman Holly Bruffy (No. Haledon, N.J.), graduate Kayla Willis (Union, N.J.), junior Zimayah Mosley (Newark, N.J.) and sophomore Kaelynne Sparacio (Farmingville, N.Y.), which scored an 8.4; the 12-athlete Synchronized Pyramid (8.75); Open Pyramid team of Vining, sophomore Alexa Foster (Marlton, N.J.), junior Mariana Aiello (Concord, Calif.), sophomore Jackie Vereen (Suffolk, Va.), junior Alexa Bayne (Kingwood Twp., N.J.), sophomore Avery Dunn (Chalfont, Pa.) and sophomore Neriyah Sims (Bayonne, N.J.) (8.85), 450 Salto Toss sextet of sophomore Kamorah Bush (Newark, N.J.), Dunn, Mosley, sophomore Emely Rodrigues (Newark, N.J.) and sophomore Melania Castro (Teaneck, N.J.) (8.00); and Vereen's 8.15 Aerial Tumbling pass.

The Cougars next visit Georgian Court on Thursday in Lakewood, N.J. for a 6 p.m. start.