Gymnastics | 8/10/2022 11:00:00 AM

ITHACA, New York (August 10, 2022) – The Texas Woman's University gymnastic team earned a number of legendary titles in 2022: Conference Champions, National Champions and, as of today, Academic National Champions.

While Academic National Champions may not be the official title, it accurately describes the incredible honor earned by the TWU gymnasts in the 2021-22 academic year. According to data compiled by the Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA), TWU posted the highest grade point average in the nation, among all women's collegiate gymnastics programs.

TWU earned a 3.8774 total team GPA, marking the highest in the nation.

"This award further demonstrates the commitment this team has to achieve excellence in every area of their lives," TWU head gymnastics coach Lisa Bowerman said. "The work ethic and drive of these student-athletes inspire me each and every day and I could not be more proud of them."

The Pioneers had 18 student-athletes— Emerson Adams, Mackenzie Balderas, AnnaKate Bickel, Domi Bonzagni, Delaney Bruns, Madeline Gose, Isabel Goyco, Maddie Griffith, Lainey Hunt, Mara Johnson, Mackenzie Kunzman, Beth Lazarus, Lexi Leake, Sierra Muns, Alix Pierce, Kyla Podges, Emily Six and Daisy Woodring— posted an individual GPA of 3.5 or higher, receiving the WCGA Scholastic All-America Award.

Of the 19 student-athletes, 11 recorded a 4.0 GPA. Those eleven were: Adams, Bonzagni, Goyco, Griffith, Hunt, Lazarus, Leake, Muns, Pierce, Podges and Woodring.

This marks the third time the Pioneers have posted the highest GPA in the nation, winning in 2015 and 2020.

"I am so incredibly proud of this team for earning the highest GPA in the nation this year," TWU Gymnastics assistant coach Kristen Harold said. "They strive for excellence in everything they do, and this accolade is a true testament to the champion mindset and culture that they live out each and every day."

The Pioneers maintained a standard of academic excellence, appearing in the top five GPA's for the past six years. In 2021, the Pioneers finished fifth on the list.

The list compiled by the WCGA includes collegiate gymnastic programs from all divisions across the nation. This year, a record number of gymnasts, 1,077 earned a 3.5 or higher GPA, which marks the most since 2008.

The top 10 GPAs according to the WCGA are listed below:

TEAM	GPA
1. Texas Woman's	3.8774
2. Alaska-Anchorage	3.8660
3. Boise State	3.8411
4. Southern Utah	3.7843
5. West Chester	3.7779
6. Ohio State	3.7600
7. Southeast Missouri	3.7582
8. Northern Illinois	3.7527
9. Eastern Michigan	3.7380
10. Western Michigan	3.7258