Gymnastics | 10/4/2022 12:19:00 PM

DENTON, Texas (Oct. 4, 2022) – On Tuesday, Sandee Mott, Director of Athletics, and Lisa Bowerman, Gymnastics Head Coach, announced the promotion of Kristen Harold to Associate Head Coach.
 
"For the past seven years, Kristen has given her heart and soul to this program, and I could not be more thrilled to see her elevated to Associate Head Coach," Bowerman said.
 
Harold said she could not be more thrilled and honored to step into this new role and continue to achieve amazing accomplishments with the Pioneers.
 
"I am so grateful for the opportunity and ability to grow and develop within this role," Harold said. "This program means so much to me. By using the experience I've gained in the past seven years, I look forward to continuing to build the legacy of TWU Gymnastics."
 
Harold, a Missouri native, competed as a collegiate gymnast at Utah State University. After graduating, she remained with the Aggies' gymnastics program as a Student Assistant Coach and Manager.
 
Seven years ago, Harold began her coaching journey with Coach Lisa Bowerman and the Pioneers, serving as a graduate assistant for two seasons with TWU. Following her two-year stint as a graduate assistant, Harold was promoted to a full-time assistant coach in the summer of 2018, after being named the 2018 NCAA Division II Co-Assistant Coach of the Year.
 
Harold played a pivotal role in helping guide the Pioneers to back-to-back USA Gymnastics National Championship titles in 2017 and 2018. She also assisted in coaching Pioneer gymnasts to NCAA Regional competitions.
 
Prior to this promotion, Harold assumed the responsibilities of recruiting coordinator for the Pioneers in 2021.
 
Most recently, in 2022, Harold assisted in guiding TWU to a "triple crown" season finish, as the Pioneers were Midwest Independent Conference Champions, USAG National Champions and National Academic Champions.
 
Harold earned multiple accolades following the conclusion of the 2022 season. She was named the MIC Assistant Coach of the Year and the USAG National Assistant Coach of the Year.
 
Additionally, Harold serves as the Pioneers floor routine choreographer and helped coach 2022 senior Isabel Goyco to her second USAG Floor National Championship. Goyco won the individual title in 2021 and 2022.
 
Along with recruiting and choreographing, Coach Bowerman said Harold oversees several other facets of the gymnastics program.
 
"Kristen oversees many aspects of our program including recruiting and our in-gym strength and conditioning," Bowerman said. "For the past five years, she has also served as our choreographer, receiving national attention for her remarkable work."
 
College Gym News highlighted Harold's choreography in a July 2022 article on Floor Music and Choreography.
 
"TWU Gymnastics is better because of Kristen," Bowerman said. "She is one of the hardest-working, most committed individuals I have ever known.  She is a true role model for our student-athletes, and I am excited for her to enter year eight in this new role."