Gymnastics | 4/7/2023 3:09:00 AM

DENTON, Texas (April 7, 2023) – March may have madness, but April is filled with awe-inspiring moments. Texas Woman's gymnastics filled Thursday night and Kitty Magee Arena with incredible moments, as they advance to the USA Gymnastics Women's Collegiate National Championships finals on Friday night.
 
Competing in the second semifinal session in their home arena, the Pioneers scored a 195.475 to win the second session and advance to the USAG National Championship finals. TWU will meet Southeast Missouri State, Air Force and Lindenwood on Friday night at 7 p.m. in Kitty Magee for the national title.
 
The Pioneers aim to win their 13th USA Gymnastics National title and defend their 2022 title.
 
In the semifinal round, TWU begin the night on vault, starting off on a strong foot and setting the tone for a great meet with a 48.800. Madeline Gose and Daisy Woodring led the charge for the Pioneers on vault, scoring a pair of 9.800s. Competing in all-around, Steelie King recorded a 9.775, as she punched the air with excitement. Maddie Griffith scored a 9.750, and Mara Johnson hit the fifth and final counting score on vault with a 9.675.
 
The Pioneers rotated to the uneven bars next, scoring a 48.550. Brooke Ferrari, the freshman mainstay in the bars lineup, competed fifth and topped the Pioneer leaderboard with a 9.825. In the anchor position, Griffith flew to a 9.750. Alix Pierce ignited the high score trend in the fourth spot with a 9.700. Competing second, Mara Johnson displayed a strong routine, scoring a 9.650, and Kyla Podges returned to the bars line up with a 9.625.
 
Balancing their way to a great overall meet, the Pioneers elevated their scores on beam and finished with their second highest event score of the day, a 48.925. All six Pioneers scored a 9.775 or higher on the beam. Emily Six, who lead off the Pioneers, rocked the house with a 9.800. MacKenzie Kunzman matched Six's energy and recorded a season-high 9.800. The high scores kept raining in for the Pioneers, as Woodring, King, Podges and Pierce all scored 9.775s.
 
Entering the fourth rotation, TWU sat a point above SEMO and West Chester, but they solidified the win with a season-high final rotation on floor, placing the exclamation on the semifinal session. TWU closed the meet with a season-high 49.200, narrowly missing a program high on floor 49.325. Mara Johnson electrified the crowd and scored a 9.900, matching her career high set last year at the USA Gymnastics Women's Collegiate National Championship on April 9. Bring the crowd to their feet, Gose filled the arena with joy, scoring a 9.875. Continuing to ride the career-high trend, Podges energized everyone and scored a 9.800. King capped off an incredible all-around performance with a 9.800. Woodring showcased an amazing routine, recording a 9.750. Finally, Pierce capped off the win for TWU, as she brought the house down with a 9.825.
 
Several Pioneers also advanced to the individual finals on Saturday at 1 pm. Those names will be confirmed and released tomorrow.
 
TWU will compete for the crown on Friday, April 7 at 7 p.m.