Gymnastics | 8/23/2021 3:20:00 PM

DENTON, Texas - Texas Woman's University head gymnastics coach Lisa Bowerman has announced the completion of her 2021-22 coaching staff, with the addition of new assistant coach George Von Drashek and the addition of recruiting coordinator responsibilities to longtime assistant coach Kristen Harold. 

Harold has served on the Pioneers' staff for the past six seasons, beginning as a graduate assistant and being named the 2018 NCAA Division II co-Assistant Coach of the Year, serving a vital role in TWU's back-to-back USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Championships in 2017 and 2018. 

"Over the past six seasons, Kristen has been an invaluable asset to our program and we are thrilled to have her continue in this new role," said Bowerman. "Kristen has a passion and commitment to this program that is unmatched, and I am excited to see all of the ways she will continue to impact the lives of our student-athletes in the years to come." 

The newest member of the TWU coaching staff will be George von Drashek, who has served as the assistant coach at Hamline University in Minnesota for the past four seasons. During his time at Hamline, von Drashek handled technical training, recruiting, program fundraising events, as well as event operations. An accomplished coach at the club and university levels, von Drashek has continued to serve as a coach with Spirit Gymnastics in St. Paul, Minn. since 2014. 

"I am very excited to welcome George to our program," said Bowerman. "He brings a great deal of valuable experience from his time at Hamline and possesses all of the characteristics that we were looking for in our search. I have no doubt we will continue to reach new heights with George as part of Pioneer Gymnastics." 

During von Drashek's tenure at Hamline, the Pipers turned ina fourth-place finish at the NCGA National Championships, while two HU gymnasts captured all-America honors in 2009. 

"Throughout my time as a gymnastics coach, I have repeatedly heard about Texas Woman's University's reputation for having an outstanding gymnastics program and a strong sense of community," said von Drashek. "I am proud to become Pioneer and have the opportunity to experience and be a part of the long standing legacy at TWU Gymnastics. Texas has always been close to my heart, and I'm excited to call TWU and Denton my home."