Gymnastics | 7/29/2025 11:58:00 AM

DENTON, Texas (July 29, 2025) – After breaking records and making history as a Pioneer student-athlete, Kaitlyn (Hoiland) Thomas will be joining the Texas Woman's gymnastics team this season as a graduate assistant.

"There are not enough words to describe how truly grateful I am for this opportunity," Thomas said. "This is a one-of-a-kind program, and it means the world to me to be trusted with the honor of continuing to represent TWU in my new role. TWU gymnastics and this amazing university changed my life in my short two years of being here, and it is such a blessing to be able to pour my passion and love for the sport back into this team and help them achieve their goals. Lisa Bowerman has been my greatest role model since I stepped foot on campus, and I still can't believe I get to be a part of the best staff anyone could ask for. This is my biggest dream and my greatest privilege, and I can't wait to see where this team will go. GO TDUB!"

Thomas competed with the Pioneers for two seasons after transferring from Oregon State. While with TWU, Thomas set a program record on bars of a 9.950 on March 17, 2024 in Kitty Magee Arena against Centenary. Following the regular season, she was named a WCGA First Team All-American on vault with the highest NQS in Division II and a WCGA Second Team All-American on beam with the second highest NQS in Division II. Then, at the 2025 MIC Championships, she was named First Team All-MIC on vault and beam, while also being named the 2024 MIC Newcomer of the Year. She closed the 2024 season with a USAG First Team All-American honor on vault and a National Runner-Up finish on vault at the 2025 USAG National Championships. She was also named a USAG Second Team All-American on bars. Additionally, at the 2024 USAG National Championships, she scored the highest all-around score in three events to be named the 2024 USAG Outstanding Senior Athlete.

During the 2025 season, she made history by becoming the first Pioneer to compete a Yurchenko 1 1/2 on vault. Thomas earned her second straight WCGA Regular Season All-American honors on vault and bars, claiming Second Team honors on vault and First Team honors on bars. At the 2025 MIC Championships, Thomas earned First Team All-MIC honors on vault and Second Team All-MIC honors on bars. To close her career, she claimed the 2025 WCGNIC Bars National Title. She also celebrated WCGNIC First Team All-America honors on both bars and vault.

Thomas's leadership and commitment to excellence also helped elevate the Pioneers during her time at TWU. In her junior season, the Pioneers set new records for highest team score in a season opener, highest team score in a home opener, highest attendance in KMA and their highest NQS in program history. Thomas and the Pioneers continued the record-breaking in 2025, as they set a new record for highest score in a season opener, a new program record for highest team score and claimed the 2025 WCGNIC National Championship Title. On their way to claiming the National Title, Thomas anchored the Pioneers' beam lineup, which in the final rotation of the Finals, set a new program record for highest beam score.

While experiencing success in competition, Thomas also stayed committed to her academics. She was a two-time MIC Scholar-Athlete, a four-time LSC Commissioner's Honor Roll honoree, a USAG Scholar-Athlete and a WCGNIC Scholar-Athlete. Additionally, Thomas enjoys serving her community by coaching the next generation of gymnasts. She has served as a coach for all ages of young gymnasts, from preschool to optional team.

"To say that I am honored and thrilled to add Kaitlyn to our staff would be an understatement," said TWU Gymnastics Head Coach Lisa Bowerman. "When Kaitlyn stepped into our program two years ago as a student-athlete, she immediately made a positive impact on every person in our gym.  She clearly had great success in the competition arena, but her passion for the sport and her leadership always proved to be her greatest asset.  She will now use her passion for the sport and for this program to continue that impact in new ways. Kaitlyn has an incredible future ahead of her as a coach, and I am grateful to get to be a part of the first steps in that journey."

Currently, Thomas is completing an internship with F45 in Argyle, Texas. She graduated with her bachelor's degree in Kinesiology at TWU and plans to pursue a master's degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Coaching, while serving as a graduate assistant with the gymnastics team. Thomas's dream is to pursue a career in coaching gymnastics at the collegiate level.