FAIRMONT, W.Va. – Thursday was an historic day for the West Liberty University Acrobatics & Tumbling program as three members of Coach Kelsey Kyle's Hilltopper squad earned national honors from the National Collegiate Acrobatics & Tumbling Association (NCATA).
    Lindsay Fries was the NCATA National Specialist of the Week, Katie Emborsky was the National Freshman of the Week and Lexus Ficca was an honorable mention choice for National Athlete of the Week.
    Fries, a sophomore base from Parkersburg, W.Va., helped West Liberty to a trio of high scores in the pyramid event as West Liberty breezed to a convincing win at West Virginia Wesleyan. She helped the unbeaten Hilltoppers to scores of 9.70 in the inversion pyramid, 9.65 in the open pyramid, and 9.50 in the synchronized pyramid. In the inversion pyramid she serves as a mid-base, in the synchronized pyramid she is a thigh stand base, and in the open pyramid she is the backbend base.
    Emborsky, a freshman base from Jonestown, Pa., competed in six total heats and the team event for the Black and Gold. During the Wesleyan meet, she helped West Liberty post three scores of 9.50 or higher – a 9.70 in the inversion pyramid, a 9.50 in the compulsory toss, and a 9.50 in the synchronized pyramid. In addition, Emborsky bases two acros, two tosses, one pyramid and does a full during the team event for West Liberty.
    Ficca, a senior base and tumbler from Weirton, W.Va., competed in eight heats and the team event to play a major role in WLU's victory at West Virginia Wesleyan. She helped the Hilltoppers to four scores of 9.50 or higher, including the meet-high 9.70 in the inversion pyramid. Ficca also helped the 'Toppers to a 9.65 in the open pyramid along with a pair of 9.50 scores in the acro five-element and synchronized pyramid. The versatile veteran also scored a 9.075 in her individual open tumbling pass.
    The West Liberty trio was scheduled to be in action Thursday night when they traveled to Glenville State for a 6 p.m. match.