Gymnastics | 12/4/2023 3:19:00 PM

DENTON, Texas (Dec. 4, 2023) – It's the most spectacular time of the year, and there is no better way to usher in the holiday season than with the annual TWU Holiday Spectacular.

On Dec. 3, Texas Woman's University spread the holly jolly cheer, as four TWU Athletic teams showcased their talents.

The spectacular day began in the Pioneer Hall Pool with a performance by Artistic Swimming. With their largest roster in program history, the Pioneers swam to Christmas music by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. In her introduction of the team, Head Coach Barb Nesbitt Ng said just as the orchestra needs every instrument to make a beautiful sound, so does the team need every person united together to make the amazing display in the pool.

In her first season as the Head Coach, Nesbitt Ng said the holiday spectacular was a great experience for her and the team.

"The holiday spectacular was such a wonderful opportunity for us to show off some of our hard work thus far, as we get ready to dive into our competitive season in a few weeks," Nesbitt Ng said. "We definitely felt the love and support on the pool deck with all of our TWU fans and can't wait to see you all in January for our first competition!"

The Pioneers will host their first competition of the 2024 season on Saturday, Jan. 20 at 3:30 p.m. against Stanford. On this day, TWU will also celebrate their first senior in program history, Makayla Crichton.

Following the conclusion of artistic swimming, STUNT welcomed the crowd into the gym for a display of several of their game day elements, including stunts, baskets and tumbling. In their third year as a program, this year marked the second year STUNT performed at the Holiday Spectacular.

After their performance, the Pioneers were able to honor former TWU STUNT athlete and current student assistant Lauren Murphy. STUNT Head Coach Jasmine Owens presented Murphy with her student-athlete stole, as Murphy finished her last competitive season with the Pioneers in 2023 and will graduate this December with her degree in Nutrition Sciences and a minor in Chemistry.

"We loved getting to participate in our second holiday spectacular performance," Owens said. "It is such a special day to bring together many sports and spread holiday cheer with TWU. I am proud of my team and their wonderful showcase, and it made it even better that we were able to celebrate our graduating senior, Lauren Murphy!"

TWU Gymnastics debuted their 2024 roster following STUNT, as they competed in an intersquad competition featuring The Grinches against The Whos.

The Grinches started on vault, while the Whos debuted on the uneven bars. Then, the teams traded for the second rotation. The Whos kicked off the third rotation on floor, while the Grinches opened on the Balance Beam. To close the competition, the Grinches ended on floor, and the Whos finished on beam.

Between the second and third rotations, the Pioneer Pride Dance Team performed and brought the holiday joy and excitement.

"Pioneer Pride is always thankful to join the Holiday Spectacular," TWU Pioneer Pride Dance Head Coach Marisa Martin said. "It is a joy to support other TWU Athletics programs and to connect with our local community. We loved performing our holiday-themed pom and are proud to be part of this annual T-Dub tradition!"

After an exciting meet, the TWU gymnasts ended the competition with their annual holiday dance, which featured an appearance by the Grinch.

"Holiday Spectacular is always one of the most special days of the year for our program, and this one was no different," TWU Gymnastics Head Coach Lisa Bowerman said. "Today was all about gratitude and showing the result of so much hard work that has been put in in the off-season and the preseason. This team confirmed today through their performance, energy and teamwork that they are on the path to making history.  I can't wait to get back in the gym with them this week and continue working toward our goals."

TWU Artistic Swimming, STUNT and Gymnastics will begin their 2024 seasons in January, while Pioneer Pride will be performing at TWU home athletic events and preparing for Nationals in April 2024.