Gymnastics | 4/12/2025 11:46:00 AM

SHREVEPORT, La. (April 11, 2025) – It's the quest for number 13, and the Pioneers got one step closer on Friday night.

The Texas Woman's gymnastics team posted the highest score of the semifinal day at the 2025 Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Invitational Championship. With their 195.700, the Pioneers advanced to the 2025 WCGNIC Finals Day on Saturday night.

In the Gold Dome at Centenary College, the Pioneers started out the night on bars and shone bright under the Semifinal lights. TWU posted a 48.925 to start the night on the uneven bars. Caroline Bowns led the way for TWU, posting a 9.850. In the anchor spot, Kaitlyn Hoiland scored a 9.800. In the fourth spot, Brooke Ferrari scored a 9.775. Bailey Bourgeois and Lainey Hunt both got the bars lineup started with 9.750s, and Kami Zarlengo rounded out the top six with a 9.700.

Then, for the second rotation, the Pioneers took their momentum over to the balance beam, where TWU scored a 48.925. Sophie Hernandez, Steelie King and Bailey Upton rocked the beam for the Pioneers, as all three Pioneers scored 9.800s. Emma Brkljacic competed a solid routine in her return to the lineup, scoring a 9.775. Sophia Isbell recorded the fifth counting score for TWU with a 9.750.

TWU moved over to floor for the third rotation and threw a floor party, posting a 49.075 in the rotation. It marked the sixth time this season the Pioneers have posted a 49.000 or above on floor. The anchor, Kyleigh Ghanbari, led the way – she matched her career high with a 9.900. Hernandez and Upton both got the crowd on their feet, as they scored above 9.800s. Hernandez finished with a 9.850 and Upton scored a 9.825. Isbell and Zarlengo continued their consistent great performances on floor, both scoring 9.750s. Bourgeois closed out the Pioneers' scores with a 9.600.

For the fourth and final rotation, TWU ended the night on vault with a 48.775. Trinity Caffey scored a season high to lead the Pioneers with a 9.875. In the anchor spot, Hoiland's Yurchenko 1 1/2 scored a 9.800. Isbell, King and Alaina Reid kept the high scores rolling, as all three scored a 9.700. As the lead off, Upton scored a 9.600.

The Pioneers will meet Bridgeport, Southeast Missouri State and West Chester tonight for the 2025 Women's Collegiate Gymnastics National Invitational Championship Finals.

During the semifinal day, the top five gymnasts in each event were named WCGNIC First Team All-Americans and advanced to Sunday's Individual Finals.

On vault, Caffey finished first, Hoiland placed third and Isbell, King and Reid all tied for fifth. Bowns and Hoiland earned the honor on bars, as Bowns tied for second and Hoiland finished in a tie for fourth. On the beam, Upton, King and Hernandez all tied for fourth. Then, on floor, Ghanbari finished first, Hernandez placed second and Upton tied for third.

Additionally, the first alternate, or sixth place individual in an event, earned Second Team All-American honors. Brkljacic placed sixth on beam to claim the honor, and Ferrari finished in sixth on bars to earn the All-American nod.

"I am so proud of how we competed freely and with joy tonight," said TWU Head Coach Lisa Bowerman. "I love this team, and I am grateful we get another opportunity to do gymnastics together on Saturday. I am so proud of who they are, the goals they have set and the daily work they put in to achieve those goals."

The Pioneers will compete on Saturday night at 7 p.m. in Gold Dome.