Gymnastics | 1/12/2025 11:11:00 PM

DENTON, Texas (Jan. 12, 2025) – A new season and a new record for Texas Woman's gymnastics.

The Pioneers started off the 2025 season in record-breaking fashion on Sunday afternoon in Kitty Magee Arena. TWU, who faced Centenary in a dual meet to open the season, scored a 194.000 in their season opener – setting a new program record for highest score in a season opener. The Pioneers claimed their first overall meet win of the season for the first time since the 2018 season. 

In front of the home crowd, the Pioneers started out on vault. TWU set a statement early in the meet with two freshmen debuting on vault in the one and two lineup spots. Alaina Reid scored a 9.700, and Kyleigh Ghanbari posted a 9.650 for the Pioneers. Graduate student Steelie King went third and received a 9.625 from the judges. A USAG All-American last season on vault, Sophia Isbell, posted a strong score in her season debut with a 9.725. Trinity Caffey, in her first year with the Pioneers, made an immediate impact in her TWU debut, posting the second highest score on the apparatus for TWU with a 9.750.

The anchor on the vault for the Pioneers also brought history for TWU. Fifth year Kaitlyn Hoiland successfully competed a Yurchenko 1 ½  - the first time a Pioneer has competed this vault in competition. The vault has a 10.0 start value, which will allow Hoiland to post big scores throughout the season. In her first time competing the vault, Hoiland posted a team-high 9.800.

TWU closed the opening rotation with a 48.625.

On the uneven bars, the Pioneers scored their highest event score of the night – posting a 48.750. Hoiland, in the anchor position, once again led the way for TWU. She scored a 9.825. Sophomore Caroline Bowns started off her second season with the Pioneers strong on the uneven bars, scoring a 9.800 – just .025 off her career high. A two-time USAG All-American on bars, Brook Ferrari, continued her consistency on the event, as she scored a 9.725. In the third spot for TWU, sophomore Bailey Bourgeois scored a career high 9.700. Senior Lainey Hunt set the tone in the lead-off spot for the Pioneers, scoring a 9.700.

Following the uneven bars, TWU moved on to the balance beam for the third rotation, where they scored a 48.225. Posting her third first-place finish of the afternoon, Hoiland anchored the Pioneers and scored a meet-high 9.750 on the beam. Sophie Hernandez and King both scored 9.675's to round out the top-three finishers for the Pioneers on the balance beam.

The Pioneers closed the afternoon on floor with a 48.400. Ghanbari continued her impressive freshman debut, leading the Pioneers with a 9.875 as the anchor. Freshman Bailey Upton debuted strong on floor as well, scoring a 9.725. Caffey closed a strong day in KMA with a 9.650 in the lead-off spot, and in the fifth spot, Isbell posted a 9.600.

"It was a joy to start our season off at home in KMA in front of our home crowd," TWU Head Coach Lisa Bowerman said. "After a strong off-season, we were excited to showcase everything we have been working on in the gym, and we did that with record-breaking excitement tonight. I am proud of the way our freshmen stepped into the spotlight and showcased strong routines. It was also incredible to start off with Kaitlyn's historical vault to set the tone for the meet and season. I am proud of our team for starting strong, and we are looking forward to another opportunity to compete at home next Friday."

The Pioneers will be back in KMA for their second meet of the season on Friday, Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. They will host West Chester and Southeast Missouri State.