ROCKLIN, Calif. – It's only year two for one of Jessup's newest sports, but being new has not scared the STUNT program as they competed in the NAIA STUNT Nationals on Friday. Needing two wins to get to the National Championship game, Jessup got half the job done, setting up for an exciting Saturday.
 
The Warriors went 1-1 on the mat Friday, taking down the Oklahoma City University Stars in their opener before falling to the defending champs of Vanguard in the nightcap.
 
Vanguard advances to the NAIA STUNT National Championship Game on Saturday. The Warriors will square off with either Hope International or Missouri Baptist at 1:30 p.m. to earn a rematch with the Lions.
 
Jessup's opening contest with the Stars was the second matchup against Oklahoma City this season. In a previous meeting in Oklahoma, Jessup came out victorious 17-5. It was a noticeable improvement in the second matchup, as the Warriors dominated their way to a 20-1 victory.
 
The Warriors scored all four points in the first and third quarters, dropping their only point of the game in the fourth round of quarter two. Quarter four saw Jessup put up a perfect nine points, scoring with routines three, one, and two.
 
The win set up a third meeting between the Warriors and Lions this season. Vanguard was a perfect 2-0 against Jessup entering the game.
 
Vanguard jumped ahead to a 5-0 lead to start before Jessup scored in three consecutive routines to end the second quarter. The Warriors kept the momentum going out of halftime, scoring again to get within two.
 
The two sides split the third quarter two points apiece, but it was all Vanguard in the fourth as they outscored Jessup 9-1 to earn the win.
 
Jessup will be hoping that a fourth meeting is in the cards. The winner of Jessup's 1:30 p.m. game will advance to the championship round at 4 p.m.  
William Jessup University is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC). For additional information regarding Jessup Athletics, visit www.jessupathletics.com; visit www.jessup.edu for more information on William Jessup University. Follow Jessup Athletics on social media: William Jessup University Athletics (Facebook) and @JessupAthletics (Twitter & Instagram).