GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Conference Carolinas released its 2026 Acrobatics & Tumbling yearly awards on Thursday morning, as Montevallo's Kati Horstmann was named Coach of the Year and a trio of Falcons earned All-Conference honors.
Head Coach Kati Horstmann was named Conference Carolinas Coach of the Year, after leading her squad to a 6-3 overall record and a 6-2 mark in Conference Carolinas in Montevallo's second year of the program and first year in the conference. Montevallo earned its first postseason win on Tuesday, defeating King in the Conference Carolinas quarterfinals. The Falcons have recorded four meet scores of 250+ or higher, which includes a program best 252.700 against King in the Conference Carolinas quarterfinals meet.
Three Falcons in Lexie Cole, Tracie Leopold, and Rilyn McAllister earned All-Conference nods.
Cole was named First Team All-Conference Carolinas, after a stellar sophomore season. Cole was the top in the first perfect 10.0 in program history in the Five-Element Acro against Mars Hill on Feb. 14. Cole was named Conference Carolinas Specialist of the Week after the strong performances in the Acro Event (Feb. 17). Cole recorded an adjusted average of 9.55 in the Five-Element Acro at the end of the regular season.
Leopold was named First Team All-Conference Carolinas, after a strong freshman year on the bricks. Leopold has competed in five out of six events throughout the year and has been a strong contributor in the Team Event (Acro, Toss, and Tumbling). Leopold has posted scores of 9.15 and 9.125 in the Aerial pass (9.25 Start Value).
Rilyn McAllister was named Second Team All-Conference Carolinas, after a solid sophomore season. She competed in all six events throughout the year and has been a strong contributor in Team Event (Acro, Pyramid, Toss, and Tumbling). McAllister was the main base for the first perfect 10.0 in program history in the Five-Element Acro against Mars Hill on Feb. 14. McAllister was also voted as Team MVP for banquet awards.
Montevallo is back action on Saturday, as the Falcons face off against Lander in the Conference Carolinas semifinals in Franklin Springs, Ga. The championship meet and event finals will take place on Sunday.
