Gymnastics | 1/28/2024 12:15:00 AM

DENTON, Texas (Jan. 27, 2024) – It's always an exciting day when the Pioneers get to be in KMA!

On Saturday night, the Texas Woman's gymnastics team competed in their season opener against Lindenwood. In front of the cheering home crowd, the Pioneers scored a season high 194.700 to claim victory in the dual meet in Kitty Magee Arena.

Along with the win, it was a special night in KMA, as the Pioneers celebrated Alumni Night and welcomed back former TWU gymnasts. The alumni were honored following the competition.

"It was so great to be back at home tonight, to set a season high score and celebrate our alumni," TWU Head Coach Lisa Bowerman said. "When we wear the throwback leotards, it represents and reminds us all of the astounding legacy of TWU gymnastics. I am thankful we were able to celebrate all those who helped build the legacy of our program. I am proud of how our team competed tonight. We took some great steps forward and continued to grow. We're excited to be back in KMA next week. "

The alumni and Pioneer fans were treated to an exciting night full of season highs at tonight's meet.

TWU opened the night on vault. Kaitlyn Hoiland, who was the anchor for the Pioneers, soared to a career high 9.875 to lead TWU and claim her second vault title in a row this season. While Hoiland anchored with a big score, Steelie King in the second spot got the high scores momentum rolling for TWU. King scored a season high 9.750. King's scored lit the match, as the score continued to rise from the rest of the lineup. Emma Brkljacic returned to the Pioneers' lineup this week with a vengeance, after missing last week due to illness. Brkljacic matched her career high of a 9.800 on vault. In just her second meet competing in the vault lineup of her freshman season, Sophia Isbell continued to raise the bar, hitting a career high 9.775 in the fourth spot. Then, Daisy Woodring kept the good vibes rolling with a season high 9.800 to ignite the KMA crowd.

The Pioneers opened the meet with a season high team score on vault of 49.000.

After setting the tone quickly with the high scores, TWU moved over to bars for the second rotation. Hoiland swung quickly into her momentum from vault. In the fifth spot for the Pioneers, Hoiland claimed her second event title of the night and first uneven bars title of the season with a career high score of 9.875 – passing her former career high at Oregon State by .100 of a point. Three more Pioneers joined Hoiland in the 9.800 club on bars. In the third spot, Brooke Ferrari continued her solid season on bars, scoring a season high 9.800. Caroline Bowns rounded out the 9.8's on the uneven bars, matching her career high of a 9.800. As a team, TWU finished with a 48.750 on the bars.

For the third rotation, the Pioneers moved over to the balance beam and scored a 48.150. Madeline Gose and Emily Six topped the TWU leader board on the event, both scoring a 9.750. Freshman Sophie Hernandez continued to elevate her scores in her freshman campaign, scoring a career high 9.700.

Following the balance beam, TWU got back on the high scoring track, as they responded well to close out the meet strong on the floor exercise. On the event, all six Pioneers scored a 9.700 or higher. Anchoring the Pioneers and tying for second overall was Brkljacic with a career high 9.825. Six also joined the 9.800 crew on floor, marking a career high for the senior. In the fifth spot, Woodring scored a 9.750. Reigning Midwest Independent Conference Newcomer of the Week Hernandez continued her strong showing tonight with a 9.725 on floor. Setting the tone in the first two spots for the Pioneers was the pair of Kami Zarlengo and Sofia Steffan, who both scored 9.700's. Steffan's score matched her career high. With the high scores across the board, TWU finished the meet with a season high 48.800 on floor.

While the meet was a close battle throughout, the Pioneers edged the Lions 194.700 to their 194.500. It marked a season high for TWU and their first win of the season.

Prior to the scores being announced, TWU gymnasts took the time to honor and celebrate the Lindenwood Lions, as they are currently competing in their final season as a gymnastics program, after being informed prior to the season by Lindenwood administration their program would be discontinued. The Pioneers presented each gymnast with a yellow rose to commemorate their legacy and impact on the entire women's gymnastics community and to show their love, friendship and support to the Lions during their final season of competition.

"It was special to honor the Lindenwood gymnasts following the meet," Bowerman said. "Our hearts ache for the end of their program, and we wanted to recognize the impact they have made on the growth of NCAA women's gymnastics. We are grateful for everyone who poured their heart and soul into the sport of gymnastics at Lindenwod. We wish them all the best in their final season and their future endeavors."

TWU will be back in action on Saturday, Feb. 3 in KMA at 6 p.m. They will face the No. 9-ranked Missouri Tigers.