Coming into the match the Lions have a sizable lead on the Aces in order to make the playoffs. The Aces would need to secure a 4 point (or more) victory to move on in the playoffs.
Early Advantage to the Aces
The match kicked off with the Devil’s Press Race, where athletes Janine Nicole and Julio Delgado for the Aces faced off against Briley Smith and Emiliana Guerra for the Lions. Though the teams started neck and neck, the Aces quickly gained an advantage and finished comfortably ahead.
Building on their momentum, the Aces captured the Mirror: Hang Squat Clean Race as well. Despite the Lions’ best efforts with Eric Cardona leading their squad, the Aces’ team of Arcangel “Archie” Andrade, Janine Nicole, Tricia Davis, and Taylar Stallings executed smoother transitions and better technique to claim back-to-back victories.
Lions Show Signs of Life
The Lions needed a morale boost, and they got it in the third event. During the Sprint Showdown Ringer Point Race, Mario Santaella faced off against Taylor Sturgis in a head-to-head sprint. Santaella gained an early lead and maintained it to the finish line, giving the Lions their first win of the day.
“That was exactly what we needed,” said a Lions team official after the race, as the squad celebrated the victory.
However, the Aces quickly responded in the Yoke Carry Ringer Point Race. Ryan DeMattie of the Aces overcame an early stumble to defeat Chelsea Sellers of the Lions, successfully carrying the 500-pound yoke across the finish line to reclaim momentum for his team.
Drama in the Echo Race
The Echo Race brought unexpected drama when a dball burst during the first attempt, spraying sand across the grid. Officials called for a reset after cleanup. When the race restarted, the teams showed contrasting fortunes. While the Aces had dominated the first attempt, the Lions found their rhythm in the rerun and secured a comfortable win.
The Ladder Race saw both teams progressing through stations with increasingly heavy weights. The Aces’ strategy of careful pacing paid off as they secured victory with an unofficial tally of 64 points to the Lions’ 46.
Final Push and Championship Implications
The Aces continued to build their lead when Megan Medeiros won the Deficit Handstand Push-Ups Ringer Point Race with an explosive display of strength and technique.
The Lions fought back in the Jack and Jill Race, securing a bonus flag after a well-executed performance featuring Eric Cardona, Paula Leyes and Paul Moran. This narrow win kept their hopes alive heading into the final event.
The decisive Sprint Relay featured eight challenging elements, from heavy dball carries to complex Olympic lifts. The Aces’ athletes, including Ryan DeMattie and Taylar Stallings, executed with precision on the complex movements while the Lions made valiant attempts at a comeback.
As the dust settled, the Aces claimed victory with a final score of 20-14, solidifying their position as a Playoff team and moving on, while the Lion’s season ended.
“Both teams showed incredible heart today,” said one commentator. “The level of competition keeps rising as we head toward the playoffs.”
Fans now eagerly await the upcoming playoff matches, where these two evenly matched teams may well face off again with even higher stakes on the line.
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