Gymnastics | 4/12/2024 9:12:00 PM

WEST CHESTER, Pa. (April 12, 2024) – The Texas Woman's gymnastics team is Finals bound!

TWU opened the afternoon at West Chest University in Session One of the USA Gymnastics Collegiate National Championship Semifinals. Against Air Force and Cornell, the Pioneers scored a 195.175 and won the first session to advance to the National Championship Finals on Saturday night.

The top two teams in each Semifinal Session advanced to the Finals. Along with TWU from the first session, Air Force also advanced to finals after placing second with a 193.675.

The Pioneers started out the afternoon on the floor exercise, scoring a team total of 48.825. Senior Madeline Gose and freshman Sophia Isbell led the Pioneers in the opening rotation with 9.800s. The 9.800 marked a career high for Isbell, as she competed for the first time in her career on floor. The Pioneers were book-ended by a pair of 9.750s. Emily Six, in the lead off spot scored a 9.750. In the anchor spot for TWU, Sophie Hernandez scored a 9.750. Steelie King finished on floor with a 9.725, and Daisy Woodring rounded out the floor lineup for the Pioneers with a 9.700.

For the second rotation, TWU competed on vault and scored a 48.825. Kaitlyn Hoiland, in the anchor spot, led the Pioneers with a 9.850. Isbell continued her high scoring day with a 9.825, which matched her career high on the event. Emma Brkljacic and King both finished with a pair of 9.750s, and Woodring recorded the fifth and final counting score for the Pioneers of a 9.650.

After the second rotation, the Pioneers moved into first place and never looked back.

TWU rotated to the uneven bars for the third rotation, where they scored a 48.625. The shining sophomores - Brooke Ferrari and Kami Zarlengo both ignited the crowd and led the Pioneers on bars with 9.800s. Hoiland continued her strong day with a 9.775. In the lead off spot, Lainey Hunt scored a 9.675 for TWU, and Aaliyah Gilmore finished with a 9.575 for TWU.

In the fourth and final rotation, TWU increased their lead over Air Force and Cornell. They closed the meet on the balance beam and scored their highest event score of the day – a 48.900. Six started the high scoring energy for the Pioneers, leading off with a 9.825 and tying her season high. Hernandez kept the high scoring energy going with a 9.800. In her fourth meet on beam, Hoiland scored a 9.775. The seniors King and Woodring both scored 9.750s, and Brkljacic closed the meet with a 9.600.

TWU will meet Air Force, Lindenwood and West Chester tomorrow to compete for the National Title. Lindenwood won the second session with a 195.700, and West Chester finished second with a 193.975.

Additionally, during the meet, the top five individuals in each event secured their spot in the Individual Event Finals on Sunday, April 14. Those will be announced tomorrow. 

"The first day is always the hardest day, and our girls showed up and competed strong," TWU Head Coach Lisa Bowerman said. "Our focus this week has been on doing our gymnastics and showing the success we have been displaying all season. I am proud of our team for confidently showing up today. They battled through tough moments and displayed a strong confidence that I know we can build upon tomorrow. We are looking forward to competing for the National Title."

March-in is slated for 6 p.m. tomorrow night.