Gymnastics | 3/17/2023 1:45:00 PM

GAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (March 17, 2023) – Postseason – a basic word defined as the time after the regular season, but a word which holds a plethora of emotions and meanings. Postseason stands as a culmination of all your hard work and passion of the entire season.
 
This year, the Texas Woman's gymnastics team is focused on the task at hand – repeating as Midwest Independent Conference Champions and USA Gymnastics National Champions. While they have been preparing in the gym to hit every skill and routine, they also have been focusing their minds to be not only physically prepared but mentally as well.
 
As they look ahead to the first step in postseason tonight, the Pioneer gymnasts reflect on what this season and team means to them, and they relish in the fact they have more opportunities to compete in the sport they love.
 
In her freshman season, Kami Zarlengo said in a year of firsts for her she is excited to see what this team can accomplish together.
 
"This season has been so special just being my freshman year and a year of firsts," Zarlengo said. "Together, this team has fought and grown with each other—learning more than ever what can happen when we are united together – all pursuing our goals with passion. I am forever grateful to be a part of this team."

Freshman Brooke Ferrari echoed Zarlengo's sentiments.

"This season is so special to me, because this is my first season doing college gymnastics. I have learned so much and have overcome so many challenges."
 
Zarlengo and Ferrari have embraced the year of firsts, but senior Mara Johnson said in her final postseason run with the Pioneers, she wants to leave a lasting legacy.
 
"This team means the absolute world to me," Johnson said. "As a senior, I have truly embraced everything this team has to offer and plan on leaving a legacy that can get passed down through future years. I am so grateful for the relationships I have built on this team and the experiences we have all faced together. With this team, I love that we have each other's back no matter what. I would not ask for anyone else to be by my side during my final season. This team has such an uplifting spirit, and I am so thankful that I get to be a part of it."
 
Senior Kyla Podges shares in Johnson's reflection of her final year. For Podges, the focus during the postseason is trust and joy and she knows those two things can lead TWU to success.
 
"This team truly means the world to me," Podges said. "This year, the team is full of tenacious, driven and compassionate student-athletes. Every season brings its challenges, and this year we did not let adversity distract the focus from our mission. We have been through it all together and have grown closer because of it. The love, support and trust we have for one another will allow us to accomplish anything we set out to do. When we trust in our gymnastics and pour our hearts into what we do, we will have no problem dominating in postseason. Let's go Tdub!"
 
Relishing in the moment is important for everyone, but senior Alix Pierce said she does not want to take a single moment for granted in these final meets.
 
"For me, I just want to be able to enjoy my last couple meets as a TWU gymnast," Pierce said. "I want to savor these last moments and not have any regrets. I think keeping everything fun and enjoyable is when we do our best gymnastics. Right now, we are on a really steady climb with notching some great team scores in the last several meets of regular season, so keeping that same fun energy going into postseason will help with our success."
 
For senior MacKenzie Kunzman, the steady trust within the team and for each other coupled with the love of gymnastics will be the overall focus of the final moments of 2023.
 
"The mindset overall heading into the postseason is to just be ourselves and trust each other," Kunzman said. "Everyone plays a vital role, and we plan to stay locked into us and our bubble. This year is special, not only because it is my last one, but because each person on this team chose to be here, chose to support this program, chose to be a part of something more than themselves and be a part of a team who loves this sport."
 
Junior Madeline Gose echoed Kunzman's emphasis on the tunnel vision of the team and being locked in.
 
"Our mindset is to leave it all out there and give it everything we have," Gose said. "We just have to focus on each other and have tunnel vision on this team. We've put in the work now we just have to go out there and give everything we've got."
 
During every performance and competition, confidence is key, and senior Beth Lazarus knows the Pioneers have the confidence to achieve their goals.
 
"Our mindset going into post season is to just keep building from what we've been working so hard for in the gym and in competitions," Lazarus said. "We've done so much little detail work to improve our scores, and it has showed in competition. We are just going to go out there with confidence, calmness and trust in each other all the way through, and we'll be ready to go get the win."
 
While the seniors relish in their final moments, junior Steelie King said these last meets with the Pioneers' seven seniors have made this season special.
 
"This season is special to me, because this is my last season with these seniors," King said. "They have been here for my entire college career and have helped me and this team grow so much. I'm just soaking up every last minute with them and trying to hold on to every bit of wisdom they have given me."
 
The moments filled with no regrets is what sophomore Emily Six is focusing on this postseason.
 
"My mindset heading into post season is doing everything out of love and gratefulness for the sport and team," Six said. "We have gone through so much together, and I just want to pour my heart into the next few opportunities we have this year. This team is going for a lights out meet and leaving the arena with no regrets and nothing to look back on. We are here to do what we love and celebrate all the little moments, do some amazing gymnastics and to go crazy."

Sophomore Delaney Bruns said the Pioneers can stay focused by trusting in their practice and preparation. 

"Our biggest focus heading into this postseason is trusting our preparation," Bruns said. "Each individual on the team must have the confidence and trust within both themselves and each other. We recognize we cannot get caught up in the importance of the moment, but rather stay committed to each other and the gymnastics we have been training. Preparing ourselves well both mentally and physically allows us to know we did everything possible to be ready and confident in competition."
 
Tonight, the Pioneers will compete in the 2023 MIC Championships, celebrating another opportunity to do the sport they love.

"I love gymnastics because it has taught me what it means to never give up on my dreams no matter how hard the road to get there is and because it has given me my best friends that I will forever be so grateful for," freshman Ruby Goad said. 

"I love gymnastics because it has taught me so many life lessons some being hard work, dedication, communications skills and passion," sophomore AnnaKate Bickel said. "This sport has allowed me to meet so many role models, leaders and friends. When I am doing gymnastics, it brings me so much joy. I would not be where I am today with the support system around me within this sport. I am grateful to have this opportunity to continue on my gymnastics career in college."
 
"I love gymnastics because the sport challenges you in every way- physically, mentally and emotionally," senior Daisy Woodring said. "It's been an incredible tool to build character and strength for things bigger than just a sport. In club and college, the coaches, teammates, parents, and all of our supporters have become family to me. Gymnastics has provided incredible opportunities to show up every day, put in the work, reap the rewards, and have lots of fun with tremendous people."