Gymnastics | 3/22/2024 9:59:00 PM

ST. CHARLES, Mo. (March 22, 2024) – The night before the Midwest Independent Conference Championship was a night of celebration.

The Texas Woman's gymnastics team celebrated their regular season accomplishments before beginning the postseason journey tomorrow night at the MIC Championship against Centenary, Lindenwood, Illinois State and Southeast Missouri State.

Hosted by Lindenwood University, the banquet began with honoring the legacy of the MIC programs by celebrating all five program's seniors.

Then, they presented the annual MIC awards, and two Pioneers were honored with MIC accolades.

In her first year with the Pioneers, Kaitlyn Hoiland has been a positive, transformative addition to the TWU squad. Hoiland, who transferred from Oregon State, has been a mainstay in the Pioneers' bars and vault lineup throughout the season. Most recently, she entered the Pioneers' beam lineup and has provided a consistent high score.

Hoiland set a career high on vault of 9.875 this season. She set a new TWU individual program record on bars, scoring a 9.950 on March 17 in Kitty Magee Arena. Additionally, on March 17, she set a career high in just her third appearance in the beam lineup of a 9.900. She ranks third in the MIC in NQS on Vault, 9.840, and second in the MIC on Bars, 9.325. Hoiland has competed 24 routines so far this season and has scored a 9.725 or higher in every single one.

For her incredible impact and success, Hoiland was named the MIC Co-Newcomer of the Year. Hoiland becomes the Pioneers' sixth MIC Newcomer of the Year in program history and first since 2021.

"Kaitlyn has competed this entire season with such incredible confidence and consistency," TWU Head Coach Lisa Bowerman said. "She is an undeniably beautiful gymnast and an incredible teammate and leader.  It has been an absolute joy seeing her thrive in her first year as a Pioneer."

In her fifth and final year with the Pioneers, Daisy Woodring has continued to build upon her legendary career. This season, Woodring has competed 32 routines for TWU, as she is a mainstay in the Pioneers' vault, beam and floor lineup. She has set not one, but two, TWU individual program records this season. On Feb. 3 in KMA, Woodring tied the TWU individual program record on floor of a 9.950 and helped lead TWU to the highest floor score in program history of 49.375. Then, on Feb. 23, Woodring scored a perfect 9.950 on vault to set a new TWU individual program record. She holds the Pioneers' highest NQS on floor, 9.840, and the sixth highest NQS on vault in the MIC, 9.825.
 
In honor of her amazing accomplishments, Woodring was named the MIC Athlete of the Year. She becomes just the second TWU MIC Athlete of the Year in program history and first since 2010.

Additionally, the MIC also honors a Woman of the Year, which recognizes the gymnast who is successful in competition, in the classroom, in the community and a positive leader. Each nominee must also submit a personal statement detailing her experience as a student-athlete and how that has empowered her to have a positive impact on the world. The awardee is chosen by a committee of voters.

Woodring, who is currently pursuing her graduate degree in chemistry, holds a 4.0 grade point average. She is committed to being a positive, inspirational leader on the team and is also committed to serving her community.

For her influential impact and successful career, Woodring was honored as the MIC Woman of the Year. She becomes the Pioneers' third MIC Woman of the Year and first since 2022.

"There are not adequate words to explain who Daisy is and what she means to this program," Bowerman said. "Daisy is one of the hardest-working, most determined, and most humble individuals you will ever meet. Her success is built on her passion, faith, incessant effort and serving others.  She is beyond deserving of both of these awards, and someone who embodies all that these awards represent."

To conclude the banquet, tomorrow's rotation order was drawn and selected. The Pioneers will start tomorrow's championship on bars. TWU will rotate in the following order tomorrow: Bars, Beam, Floor, Vault and they will close the day with a bye and await the final scores.

March-in for the 2024 MIC Championship will begin tomorrow at Robert F. Hyland Arena at 5 p.m.