It didn’t take long for Rayla Buckner to notice a change for the better in the Morgan State acrobatics and tumbling team under the helm of new coach Agina Simpkins.
The Lady Bears (5-3) just completed their first winning regular season in their three seasons of competition, due, in part, Buckner believes to the sense of unity that Simpkins has instilled in the team.
“I think with coach Simpkins, she’s taught us more team camaraderie and working together as one unit,” said Rayla Buckner, a junior top flyer from Fredericksburg, Virginia. “(That) is something I think we have struggled with in the past.”
Simpkins directed a turn-around this year after starting 0-2 on the season, going on to secure four straight wins and set a program record for total wins in a season and most consecutive wins.
In the team’s first two years of competition in the National Collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling Association (NCATA), they went 2-4 in the 2024 season and 3-5 in the following year.
Simpkins had just closed her gymnastics business after 17 years of operating, before being contacted by Morgan about the vacancy.
“I just recently sold that business and was thinking of taking a hiatus or sabbatical for a year,” said Simpkins. “Then [Morgan] kind of called me up and asked me would I be interested in coaching at Morgan State.”
Simpkins brings with her an extensive background in gymnastics. With over 20 years of experience, she has competed seven times on the U.S National Team and has judged multiple NCATA National Championships.
“It’s always good to have positive, uplifting spirits around,” said Lauren Perkins, sophomore base, when asked about how Simpkins has changed the culture within the team.
After falling to La Salle (236.750-220.990) and Iona (257.385-227.600) the team went on to beat Long Island, Francis Marion, Caldwell and Stevenson, before dropping a four-point decision to Quinnipiac in the home finale.
Morgan finished the regular season with a 254.170-254.155 road win over Missouri State. That mark topped their highest previous score, 243.950 in their 30.4 point victory over Francis Marion.
“I think it’s really consistency [in] practice,” said Simpkins. “The believing in each other and believing in new coaching styles.”
Junior base Kalea Armstrong and Perkins both emphasized that the team’s focus is on being “better than we were yesterday” and “beating ourselves every meet,” rather than on their opponents.
“I think when we go against our toughest opponents we push a lot harder and we come out cleaner,” said Kayla Bryant, junior base.
Due to injuries and sickness, according to Simpkins, the team has not entered a match with the same lineup all year. She emphasized everyone being on high alert about making sure everything is correct.
“Once you start the competition… it’s like basketball,” said Simpkins. “If you don’t make the shot, it doesn’t count, right? So same thing, they got to hit, we got to hit… and it’ll come down to what we do on the floor.
Staff writer Yorel Hogan contributed to this story.
