Gymnastics | 11/14/2024 3:07:00 PM

DENTON, Texas (Nov. 14, 2024) – For the first time in program history, a Texas Woman's Pioneer has been named a recipient of the NCAA Today's Top 10 Award.

Daisy Woodring, former Texas Woman's gymnastics student-athlete, was named a 2025 recipient of the NCAA Today's Top 10 Award.

"I am so honored to be chosen for this award, especially because I know there are so many others who are equally deserving, including several I've had the privilege of having as teammates," Woodring said. "I am grateful to represent Texas Woman's and the TWU Gymnastics team. I would not have been the athlete or the person I am today without my team, coaches and the other extraordinary people God surrounded me with while at TWU. These are the people who have shown me what it means to lead with excellence in gymnastics, school, and anything else I do."

According to the NCAA, "the award recognizes former student-athletes for their exceptional athletic and academic achievements, as well as their contributions to their campuses and communities. The Today's Top 10 awardees were selected by the NCAA Honors Committee, composed of representatives from NCAA member schools and conferences, as well as nationally distinguished citizens, including past awardees."
Ten student-athletes were selected across all three NCAA Divisions, all sports and genders.

Woodring competed with the Pioneers' gymnastics team for five seasons. During her time at TWU, she excelled in competition, community service, academics and leadership. Woodring truly exemplified the attributes of a TWU Pioneer.

"Daisy is truly one-of-a-kind," said TWU Head Gymnastics Head Coach Lisa Bowerman. "In the five years that Daisy was a student-athlete on the TWU Gymnastics team, there was not a single day that her presence and her impact were not felt. Daisy is the definition of a leader and a competitor.  She strives for excellence in every area of life.  Daisy is highly respected in the classroom, on the competition floor and in her personal life.  I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this recognition and honor."

While competing with the Pioneers, Woodring also graduated with a bachelor's degree in chemistry. She is currently pursuing a master's degree in chemistry.

In her freshman year, Woodring shined brightly and started her career in impressive fashion, as she earned First Team All-Midwest Independent Conference and USA Gymnastics accolades on vault. Then, in her sophomore season, she continued to elevate her skill and hit career highs on vault (9.9) and floor (9.825).

Her junior year, Woodring continued to showcase success on all three of her events – vault, beam and floor. Woodring's success helped lead the Pioneers to the "triple crown" – the MIC Championship Title, the USAG National Championship Title and the Highest Grade Point Average in Collegiate Gymnastics. During the regular season, she boasted the second highest national qualifying score (NQS) on vault in Division II to earn Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association Second Team All-American honors. Additionally, she once again claimed USAG First Team All-America honors on vault, placing third nationally.

In her first senior year, Woodring continued to rewrite the history books for the Pioneers. After the regular season, she claimed the highest NQS in Division II and was named a WCGA First Team All-American on vault. Furthermore, Woodring also had the second highest NQS on floor in Division II to earn WCGA Second Team All-America honors, after setting a new career high mark of 9.900 on floor during the season. At the USAG National Championships hosted by TWU, Woodring claimed the Individual National Title on Vault and also earned USAG First Team All-American status on vault. Additionally, she was named a USAG First Team All-American on beam.  

Finally, during her fifth year with the Pioneers, she competed on vault, beam and floor. In historical fashion, Woodring set a TWU individual record on vault with her career high 9.950 on Feb. 23. Additionally, she matched TWU's individual record on floor with a career high 9.950 on Feb. 3 to help lead the Pioneers to their record-breaking team score on floor of 49.375. Woodring was a two-time MIC Performance of the Week winner during the season. She closed the season with the second highest NQS on vault and floor to earn WCGA Second Team All-America honors on both events. Woodring was honored as the MIC Athlete of the Year, the MIC Woman of the Year and the WCGA Division II Athlete of the Year. At the MIC Championships, she claimed the MIC Floor Title with a 9.900, claiming All-MIC First Team honors on floor. She also placed fifth on beam with a 9.825 to earn All-MIC Second Team honors. She also helped guide the team to multiple records: highest team score in a season opener, highest team score in a home opener, second highest team score in program history and highest NQS in program history.  

During her time of success in competition, Woodring additionally boasted success in academics as well. She is a four-time USAG Scholar Athlete, a five-time MIC Scholar Athlete, a four-time WCGA Scholastic All-American and a two-time College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District and Academic All-American. In 2023, Woodring was named the CSC Division II At-Large Academic All-American of the Year.

Woodring additionally was named a five-time Chancellor's List, Dean's List and five-time Lone Star Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll. She was a member of TWU's Athenian Honors Society from 2019-23 and an American Chemical Society National Member. Woodring received the Academic Excellence Award from TWU Housing and Dining Department. She also received the Robert A. Welch Undergraduate Research Fellowship and a Willis Clark Endowed Scholarship in Chemistry.

In 2023, Woodring graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2023 with her bachelor's degree in chemistry and is currently pursuing her graduate degree in chemistry.

Woodring also excels in leadership and serving her community. She led the gymnastics team and served as a Fellowship of Christian Athletes Student Leader. During her five years at TWU, she accumulated countless hours of service. She served as a Chemistry Teaching Assistant, a TWU Block Party Volunteer, a volunteer with the Grace Like Rain Holiday Gift Program, Boo at the U Volunteer, Achiever Gymnastics Meet Volunteer, MLK March Volunteer, Celebrate Life 5K Volunteer, TWU Fun Run Volunteer, Make-a-Wish – Workout for Wishes volunteer, First Baptist Denton Service Day Volunteer, Denton Lighting Festival volunteer, Foster Kids Charity Coloring and Card Making volunteer, Athletic Department Student Tutor, Denton Public Library Volunteer and a Partnerships, Research, Innovation, Mentoring and Engagement Program (PRIME) Research Intern.

Woodring and the other nine awardees will be celebrated Tuesday, Jan. 14, at the NCAA Convention Welcome and Awards Presentation in Nashville, Tenn.