Gymnastics | 3/21/2025 8:58:00 PM

SHREVEPORT, La. (March 21, 2025) – The Texas Woman's gymnastics team placed second at the 2025 Midwest Independent Conference Championships.

On Friday afternoon at the Gold Dome on the campus of Centenary College, the Pioneers competed against Centenary, Illinois State and Southeast Missouri State. TWU started the night out on floor and finished on beam, as they scored a 194.800 to place second.

The Pioneers started the night out strong on floor with a 48.850. Kyleigh Ghanbari and Sophie Hernandez closed strong for TWU with a pair of 9.850s. Ghanbari and Hernandez both tied for second on the event. Sophia Isbell started off her night strong with a 9.800 on floor. Bailey Upton led off the Pioneers with a 9.725, and Kami Zarlengo scored a 9.625 to round out the top five scores for TWU in the opening event.

Then, the Pioneers moved over to vault for their second rotation and scored a season high 49.050. Leading the way and tying for second on the event was Isbell and Kaitlyn Hoiland, who posted 9.850's. Isbell matched her career high with the score on vault. Trinity Caffey and Upton also stuck strong vaults, as they each scored a 9.800 to help lead TWU. In the lead-off position, Alaina Reid got the high scoring going with a 9.750, and Steelie King also added a 9.750 in the third spot.

After two rotations, TWU led with a 97.900, and Illinois State sat in second with a 97.850.

On bars for the third rotation, TWU posted a 48.200. Brooke Ferrari led the Pioneers with a 9.850 to place second on the event and score a season high. Bailey Bourgeois led off the event with a strong 9.825 to place third overall. In the fourth spot, Zarlengo responded well after a fall and stepped up with a 9.800 to finish tied for fourth on the event. Following the third rotation, TWU would narrowly fall to second with a 146.100 and Illinois State would take the lead with a 146.925.

The Pioneers regrouped and stayed together to respond well in the fourth and final rotation. TWU would close the night on beam with a 48.700. In the fifth spot, King would lead the way for TWU with a 9.800 and place third on the event. Hernandez, in the fourth spot, scored a 9.750. Isbell and Hoiland closed out the MIC's with 9.725's. The Pioneers' lead-off, Upton, closed her first Conference Championship with a 9.700 to round out the top five scores on beam for TWU.

Illinois State won the 2025 MIC Title with a 196.025, SEMO placed third with a 194.725, and Centenary finished in fourth with a 189.200.

TWU will continue their postseason at the Women's Collegiate Gymnastics National Invitational Championship (WCGNIC) on April 11-13 at Centenary.