Bristol, Tenn.- King University enters the 2026 Acrobatics & Tumbling season with a clear opportunity to outperform expectations after being selected ninth in the Conference Carolinas Preseason Poll. The rankings, released January 21 by the league office, placed Lander University at the top with 75 points and five first-place votes. Coker, Mars Hill, and Wingate followed closely in a tightly contested top four.
King earned 24 points in the poll, finishing ahead of Newberry and just behind Francis Marion. While the ranking presents a challenge, it also sets the stage for a program eager to climb the standings as the season unfolds.
King's Recognized Athletes
The Tornado had three athletes named to the league's 2026 Players to Watch list:
Their inclusion highlights the individual talent within the program and underscores the potential for team-wide improvement.
A Deep and Competitive Conference Field
The 2026 preseason poll reflects a conference with growing parity. Lander, Coker, Mars Hill, and Wingate all received first-place votes, signaling a competitive race at the top. Montevallo, Converse, and Belmont Abbey form a strong middle group, while Francis Marion and King look to break through and challenge for higher placement. With so many programs capable of producing strong meet scores, the season is poised to be tightly contested from start to finish.
Championship Path Set for April
The 2026 Conference Carolinas Acrobatics & Tumbling Championship begins April 7 with quarterfinal meets hosted on campus sites. The semifinals and finals will be held April 11–12 at Emmanuel University's Shaw Athletic Center in Franklin Springs, Georgia.
