Gymnastics | 3/17/2022 9:49:00 PM

DENTON, Texas - Texas Woman's University senior gymnast Isabel Goyco was honored as the Midwest Independent Conference's Woman of the Year, while assistant coach Kristen Harold was recognized as the league's Assistant Coach of the Year, announced Thursday night at the MIC's annual awards banquet. 

Goyco, a senior from San Antonio, has excelled both in competition and the classroom during her time at TWU. The defending USAG National Champion on floor, Goyco was also honored as a CoSIDA Academic All-American last year. A biology major with a 3.926 grade point average, Goyco has taken part in multiple continuing and one-time service projects, while serving in a leadership position for an undergraduate team performing independent research. Goyco is a six-time Chancellor's List honoree, a three-time WCGA Scholastic All-America Award winner, a 4X MIC Scholar-Athlete Award Winner a three-time USAG Scholar-Athlete Award Winner, and a recipient of the 2020 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Award. 

"Isabel is an exceptional student-athlete," said head coach Lisa Bowerman. "I am constantly amazed with all that she does both in and out of the gym. From volunteering, to research in the biology lab, to art, and so much more, she is truly one of the most hard-working, committed student-athletes I have ever coached. I couldn't be more proud of all she has accomplished over the last four years, and know it is just the beginning for her." 

In her seventh season with the Pioneers gymnastics program, Harold has primary responsibility for coaching the TWU floor unit while sharing responsibilities on vault. 

The Pioneers currently hold the #1 spot in the MIC rankings and are ranked 44th nationally on the floor with an average of 48.873 and a team NQS of 49.025 in the event. The Pioneers' Floor squad is TWU's top-performing event, and is led by underclassman Madeline Gose, who averages 9.810 on the event this year. Junior Mara Johnson is close behind at 9.802, and Goyco – the defending USAG National Champion in the event – has averaged 9.800. TWU has notched four event titles – including Goyco's first event title of the season in a meet that included top-ranked Oklahoma – and 14 top-five finishes.

"This is Kristen's seventh season with the TWU gymnastics program, and every single year she continues to add to her responsibilities and continues to push herself to stretch and adapt in whatever ways the program needs at the time," said Bowerman. "Her dedication and commitment to this team, and to the sport of gymnastics are unrivaled and we are no doubt all better because of her and the work she does."

-PIONEERS-