Gymnastics | 1/11/2023 3:33:00 PM

DENTON, Texas (Jan. 11, 2023) – The lights go out. The spotlight comes on and the announcer's voice fills the arena. It's the moment before the meet begins.

In Kitty Magee Arena, every gymnastics meet starts in the same manner, yet for seven seniors the beginning of each meet now signals the last moments of their journey as a Texas Woman's Pioneer gymnast.

Seven seniors who helped lead the Pioneers to a historic season in 2022. Seven seniors who are poised to guide TWU to another dream-filled year in 2023.

For 2023 TWU Gymnastics seniors Maddie Griffith, Mara Johnson, MacKenzie Kunzman, Beth Lazarus, Alix Pierce, Kyla Podges and Daisy Woodring, this season contains feelings of excitement, joy and passion as they have the opportunity to compete in the sport they love one final year.

"I am excited to have one more year to push and compete with my class," Woodring said. "The best part of college gymnastics is the opportunity to practice and compete with your closest friends. I have a special class and I am so thankful to go through this season with them one last time."

While last year was a record-setting year with the Pioneers winning the USAG National Championship, the Midwest Independent Conference Championship and being named Academic National Champions, Pierce said this year the team does not feel pressure, rather they are focusing on all the potential this 2023 squad possesses.

"We've really been focusing on looking at this year as brand new without comparing ourselves to where we were last year," Pierce said. "It can be easy to get lost in the pressure of living up to what we did last season, but we are moving onto bigger and better things this year. We are a new team this year with some really talented and hardworking athletes, and I'm looking forward to showing the work we've been putting in."

The Pioneers kicked off the 2023 season officially last weekend at Denver and showcased the special and talented roster they have this year.

"This year's team is very special because we all know how to compete," Lazarus said. "We all have a competitive edge and strong passion and desire to win, and we all work because we really want to win."

After competing in Denver, the Pioneers remain on the road for their second meet of the season at Arizona on Jan. 14, before finally hosting their home opener in KMA on Friday, Jan. 20. For all seven seniors, KMA and competing in front of the home crowd holds a special place in their hearts.

"Competing in KMA is hard to describe," Kunzman said. "Having your parents, friends and fans in the stands to share the special moments you are having with your teammates is something I will cherish forever. Everyone in that arena is watching you live out your dream of competing in college gymnastics and it makes it even more special knowing it is my last go around."

For Johnson, it reminds her of the amazing opportunity she has to compete at the collegiate level.

"Competing in KMA means the world to me," Johnson said. "Every time I step into the arena, I feel proud of myself and all the work I have put in to get here and to be able to have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete at the collegiate level. It definitely means more being the last go around. This place has changed and shaped me into the person that I have become today."

TWU will host five regular season meets in KMA this season. Then, they will have the opportunity to compete in front of their home crowd one final time in postseason, as the Pioneers host the USAG Women's Collegiate National Championships on April 6-8. Every moment in KMA remains memorable, and the moments that happen within the arena continue to remind each senior why they love being a TWU Pioneer.

"I love being a TWU Pioneer because our coaches truly care about us as people, and they take the time to know us better as individuals," Podges said. "The relationships we form here are just as important as the gymnastics itself, and I am thankful for that aspect here at TWU. I also really appreciate that our school emphasizes the importance of our education and that we are students before we are athletes."

As the season begins, the Pioneers have their sights set on working toward and achieving their ultimate dream of an NCAA Regional appearance this season.

"Our goal for the season is to be ranked in the top 36 teams in the country and qualify for regionals, as well as winning national and conference championships again," Lazarus said.

While the season is a marathon, not a sprint, Griffith said she is so excited about all the memories the team will make along the way to achieving their goals this season.

"I am most excited about making new memories this year," Griffith said. "I honestly think competition season is made up of the most memorable moments in gymnastics. I think just traveling and spending time with the team is what I am most looking forward to this year."

The seven seniors will be honored and celebrated for all their accomplishments on March 12, as the Pioneers host Florida, Washington and NC State for Senior Day.

"I am so proud of each of these seniors," Pierce said. "We've all had such unique journeys to get to where we are today, but I'm so glad we all ended up at TWU together. We've been through so much together, and I'm so thankful I've had them by my side. This last year is going to be bittersweet, but I am really going to cherish these moments with my best friends."
 
The lights go out. The spotlight comes on and the announcer's voice fills the arena. It's the moment before the meet begins. For seven TWU seniors, it signifies the realization of a dream and the beginning of the next stage of their lives.  

Below each senior shared advice they would give to freshman gymnasts and future Pioneers:

Maddie Griffith: "It would be – appreciate the grind, the hard 6 a.m.'s and the sweat and the conditioning and the tears, because there is nothing like the reward of college gymnastics."

Mara Johnson: "To enjoy every moment spent here at TWU and that it is always encouraged to ask any questions that you would need answered along the way."

MacKenzie Kunzman: "Freshman year is going to go by so quickly. There are going to be many mistakes along the way and that is okay because that is how you learn. Soak up each moment and enjoy it. Take in everything because you will never get that year back."

Beth Lazarus: "Enjoy your time being on a college gymnastics team, because there is no other feeling like competing with your team behind you, trying to win together."

Kyla Podges: "You are so much stronger than you think, both physically and mentally. Enjoy the process, celebrate the small things and make sure to breathe on beam. Also, take it from me and don't bring all of your leotards from your club days to college."

Daisy Woodring: "Don't waste your time, energy or effort on things that don't truly matter. College goes by so fast, and you can use it in ways that you will either regret or cherish, maybe days later or maybe years later. Take each moment and decision one step at a time."

For Alix Pierce, she shared her proudest accomplishment, which contains her advice to future Pioneers – never give up:
"My proudest accomplishment was hitting both the routines I put up at Nationals team finals last year. I had a lot of ups and downs competing on beam last season and I was so proud of myself for trusting my training and hitting that routine for my team. I fell on floor on day one, but came through and hit on day two when it really counted."