DENTON, Texas (Jan. 5, 2017) – Texas Woman's University gymnastics opens the 2017 season at the Arizona Tri-Meet hosted by the Wildcats that also features Utah State Friday at 8 p.m. CST.
 
About TWU
The Pioneers return All-Americans Schyler Jones, Megan Gentry, Erin Alderman and Jenna Cashmore from last season. At the 2016 USA Gymnastics National Championships, the Pioneers compiled seven All-America honors including six first team selections.  Jones received first team honors in all-around and on beam to go along with a second team accolade on vault. Gentry received two first team acclaims on vault and beam while Alderman earned first team honor on floor and Cashmore received first team honor on bars.
 
About Arizona
The Wildcats were picked 18^th in the 2017 Preseason Coaches' Poll, as voted on by the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches, Women (NACGC/W). The squad is returning 10 student-athletes and welcoming six freshman. Last season, Arizona finished fourth at the Athens Regional by posting a score of 195.90.
 
Series between TWU and Arizona
The Wildcats have bested the Pioneers in all of the 14 prior meetings dating to 1994. The squads most recently faced off last season with Arizona defeating TWU, 193.475 to 192.450, in Denton.
 
Last meeting amongst the Pioneers and Wildcats
DENTON, Texas (Jan. 17, 2016) – The TWU gymnastics team rebounded from a rough showing on Friday at Oklahoma with a season-high Sunday afternoon against No. 10 Arizona.  The Wildcats captured the dual meet with a 193.475 while the Pioneers posted a 192.450.
TWU opened the meet on vault and scored a 48.225.  Four gymnasts posted a 9.600 or better led by freshman Megan Gentry with a 9.750.  Sophomore Schyler Jones also scored a 9.700.
The Pioneers moved to bars in the second rotation and posted a 48.200 team score.  Junior Katie Simpson led the team with a 9.750 while sophomore Alyssa Kelly posted a 9.725.
TWU posted another team score over 48.000 with a 48.450 on beam in the third rotation.  Jones and Kelly both led the team with a 9.725 each while sophomore Taylor Vincent scored a 9.700.
The Pioneers closed out the meet on floor with a 47.575.  Jones once again led the team with a 9.700.
 
About Utah State
The Aggies were selected 30^th in the NACGC/W Preseason Coaches' Poll. Utah State brings back eight letterwinners from 2016 and welcomes eight freshman to this year's team. Last season, the Aggies advanced to the NCAA Regional Championships where they placed fifth.
 
Series between TWU and Utah State
During the 2005 season, the Pioneers recorded a team record 49.200 on beam against the Aggies, and Courtney Arno-Templet notched a TWU individual record with a 9.925 performance on bars. The Pioneers are 3-7 all-time against Utah State with two of the victories taking place during the last two matchups, during the 2008 and 2012 seasons.
 
Last meeting amongst the Pioneers and Aggies
DENTON, Texas (Jan. 14, 2012) – A Kitty Magee Arena record crowd of 1,229 fans saw a strong performance from the TWU gymnastics team on Saturday night versus Centenary, #10 Oklahoma, and Utah State.
The Pioneers posted a 192.425 team score to finish second in the quad meet.  OU won the four-team competition with a 2012 NCAA-best team score of 197.450. Utah State took third with a 192.325 and Centenary finished fourth with 191.400.
Senior Rashonda Cannie led the way for TWU, finishing third in all-around with a score of 38.825.  She posted a 9.600 or better in three of the four events including a 9.800 on floor.  Cannie scored a 9.675 on vault, a 9.775 on bars and 9.575 on beam.
Freshman Spencer Jones competed as an all-arounder for the first time in her Pioneer career and tallied a 38.200.  The Denton native led the Pioneers on floor with a 9.850 and recorded a 9.550 on vault, 9.200 on bars and 9.600 on beam.
Senior Marcella Fallon and freshman Kayla Jones each scored a 9.725 to pace the Pioneers on vault.  Sophomore Courtney Cochefski had a TWU team high 9.800 on bars while freshman Stephanie Repp was the Pioneer leader on beam with a 9.750.
 
FloSports to broadcast TWU meet versus Oklahoma Feb. 26
FloSports and FloGymnastics will be live web streaming the Feb. 26 meet between Texas Woman's University and Oklahoma. Coverage will begin at 1 p.m. CST at http://bit.ly/2iJAH43.
This will be the second year of the partnership between TWU and FloSports. Last season, FloSports broadcasted three TWU gymnastics meets.
FloSports and FloGymnastics are known for their regular coverage of women's gymnastics.
To learn more about FloSports and FloGymnastics, head to http://www.flosports.tv and http://www.flogymnastics.com.