General | 5/21/2026 2:35:00 PM
DENTON, Texas (May 28, 2026) – A cornerstone quality of the Texas Woman's athletics is celebration – celebrating the big moments, the small successes and all the excellence - together.
As the academic year came to a close, the Pioneers gathered together to celebrate an incredible year and present the annual awards at the 2026 Oakleys.
The annual awards ceremony, hosted by the TWU Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC), featured recognition for leadership, service, passion and athletic and academic success. The Pioneers also shared recaps from all nine sports and celebrated all the success from this year.
"The Oakleys has been a TWU athletic tradition the student athletes all look forward to," said TWU SAAC President
Kendall Madkins. "We get to dress up and interact with the other athletes and be able to congratulate one another on another successful season. Banquet has always been such a special night that celebrates student accomplishments during the year. I love being able to highlight and showcase all of our athletes, coaches, staff and athletic council in one room."
The night began by honoring an Outstanding Athlete for each sport, as selected by the head coach of each respective sport.
The Outstanding Athlete for each sport are listed here:
Along with their sport-specific practices, each team does strength and conditioning training to improve their overall performance in their sport. To celebrate the student-athletes' hard work in the gym,
Kathryn Whartenby selected an individual to honor from each team for her All-Sports Performance Team.
The All-Sports Performance Team is listed here:
While we celebrate the present achievements of our student-athletes, these celebrations would not be possible without the giants who left their legacy and truly defined what it means to be a Pioneer student-athlete. These women left a legacy of leadership, passion and tenacity, which our athletes continue to be inspired by to this day.
In honor of these amazing women, current student-athletes are nominated by their coaches and then selected by the Athletic Department to receive these namesake awards.
First, the Kitty Magee Award honors Kitty Winter Magee, the first chairwoman of the Texas Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics for Women. Magee was an associate professor at TWU until 1981, co-founder of the Pioneer Club for student-athlete scholarships and a member of the TWU Athletics Hall of Fame. She was revered for her bold dedication to female athletics and TWU.
The 2025-26 Kitty Magee Award honorees were
Giselle Gutierrez and
Lizzie Smith.
Gutierrez, a junior forward for the TWU Soccer team, delivered one of the greatest attacking seasons ever recorded by a Pioneer. She started 22 of 23 matches, led TWU with a program-record 12 goals and added six assists for a program-best 30 points in a single season. She also recorded 59 shots, 32 on goal, in 1,640 minutes played and tallied three game-winning goals. Her performance earned her First Team All-Lone Star Conference honors, as well as a spot on the Division II CCA All-South Central Region First Team—TWU's first since 2017. During the 2025 season, Gutierrez helped guide the Pioneers to another historical season. In 2025, the Pioneers claimed their first LSC Championship game berth. Additionally, they advanced to the NCAA South Central Regional Tournament and claimed their first NCAA Tournament win in program history. Gutierrez and the Pioneers also recorded a program record 16 wins, seven road wins, 45 goals, 46 assists, 136 total points, 14 shutouts and seven consecutive wins.
Smith, a junior on the TWU Softball team, served as a leader for the Pioneers this season, guiding them back to the Lone Star Conference Tournament. During the 2026 season, she played in 55 games and started in 53. In 144 at-bats, she recorded 32 runs, 41 hits, 10 doubles, nine home runs and 20 RBIs. Not only did Smith help guide the Pioneers back the LSC Tournament, she also helped them win their first LSC Tournament game since 2017, as they defeated Western New Mexico in the opening round. Smith also served as a leader on campus and in the community throughout the season.
Second, the Dianne Baker Award celebrates former TWU Head Softball Coach Dianne Baker. Baker, the head coach from 1997 to 2005, posted an amazing career coaching record of 785-462-3, establishing her among the winningest coaches in the NCAA. While coaching the Pioneers, she had a record of 285-165-2 and was named the 1999 and 2002 Lone Star Conference Coach of the Year. A TWU faculty member, a TWU Athletics Hall of Fame member and a TWU Distinguished Alumna, Baker is revered for the intensity and passion she coached and played with.
The 2025-26 Dianne Baker Award recipients were
Averee Kleinhans and
Julissa Cabrera.
Averee Kleinhans, a senior guard for TWU basketball, propelled the Pioneers to another record-breaking season. During her final season with the Pioneers, Kleinhans played and started in 27 games for the Pioneers. She averaged 16.1 points per game, 44.2% from the field, 38.5% from the three point line, 5.8 rebounds per game, 3.1 assists per game and 1.6 steals per game. During the season, she scored a career high 38 points in TWU's overtime win against West Texas A&M. Kleinhans recorded 24 double-digit scoring games in 27 appearances this season and earned three LSC Offensive Player of the Week honors. The senior guard was named to the All-LSC First Team and the NCAA South Central Region All-Tournament Team. She also earned WBCA All-America Honorable Mention honors and was selected to the D2CCA All-South Central Region Second Team. Kleinhans helped guide the Pioneers to their fourth straight LSC Regular Season Title, their third straight LSC Tournament Title and their third straight Sweet Sixteen appearance.
Julissa Cabrera, a sophomore for TWU STUNT, brought passion to the Pioneers, which helped lead them to their first LSC Championship game and first National Tournament appearance. This season, she claimed her second straight First Team All-LSC honors. Additionally, she was named to the LSC All-Academic Team. On March 17, Cabrera was named the LSC Tumbler of the Week after accumulating 98 points at the Pacific Northwest Open.
Next, the Jo Kuhn Award honors former TWU Director of Athletics and Coach Jo Kuhn. She served as the TWU Director of Athletics for 10 years (1982-92), while also coaching and teaching at TWU. Kuhn is also a member of the TWU Athletics Hall of Fame. She is revered for her strong, outstanding leadership.
The 2025-26 Jo Kuhn Award honorees were
Caden Hensley and
Lórena Gomez.
Caden Hensley, a senior on the Pioneer Pride Dance Team, has been a consistent leader for the Pioneer Pride Dance Team both vocally and by example. She helped guide the Pioneers to repeat as NDA Spirit Rally National Champions. Additionally, Hensley assisted in leading TWU to their highest finish in Pom at NDA Nationals in program history.
Lórena Gomez, a junior setter for the TWU Volleyball team, served as a positive leader for the Pioneers this season. During the season, Gomez played in 109 sets. She averaged 3.08 assists per set with 336 total on the season. She also added 26 service aces and a 90.7% reception percentage. Gomez and the Pioneers returned to the LSC Tournament and defeated #17 West Texas A&M to advance to the LSC Semifinals for the first time since 2019.
The final namesake award is the Dr. Bettye Meyers Service Award. Dr. Bettye Meyers is known for her commitment to serving the TWU community and the greater community at-large. This award is given to the athlete who received the most community service hours throughout the year.
The 2025-26 Dr. Bettye Meyers Service Award recipient is
Jaycee Portee.
Portee, a senior for TWU wrestling, remains passionate about serving the TWU and Denton community and inspires others to give back.
Lastly, the coaches and administrators vote on the Pioneer Athlete of the Year Award.
The Pioneer Athlete of the Year honors the student-athlete with the overall highest athletics achievements of the past academic year.
The 2025-26 Pioneer Athlete of the Year is
Gabby Elliott.
Gabby Elliott, a senior for TWU Basketball, delivered an impressive final season in the maroon and white for the Pioneers. Elliott averaged 16.0 points per game on 54.1% shooting while leading the conference with 11.6 rebounds per game and adding 1.5 blocks per contest. She recorded 16 double-doubles and led the LSC with 230 defensive rebounds. Elliott also earned nine LSC Player of the Week honors - the most in the conference this season. The senior forward earned her first Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) All-South Central Region honor, receiving first-team recognition. Elliott was also named the 2025-26 LSC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, becoming just the second Pioneer in program history to earn Player of the Year honors. Additionally, she was named the LSC Academic Player of the Year, becoming the first to sweep the conference's three major individual awards in the same season. She added First Team All-LSC honors and was selected to the LSC All-Defensive Team. Furthermore, she also earned CSC Academic All-District honors and CSC Academic All-America honors. Elliott helped guide the Pioneers to their fourth straight LSC Regular Season Title, their third straight LSC Tournament Title and their third straight Sweet Sixteen appearance.
Kami Zarlengo was honored with the 2026 Chancellor's Award, which is awarded to the Pioneer who has demonstrated excellence in her sport and in the classroom and has been committed to positively promoting TWU Athletics on campus and in the community.
Zarlengo, a senior leader for TWU Gymnastics, will graduate with a degree in Education. She helped guide the Pioneers to back-to-back WCGNIC National Championship titles. She competed on the uneven bars and floor exercise for the Pioneers this season. She posted season highs of 9.850 on bars and a 9.800 on floor. Zarlengo also earned All-MIC honors on bars.
Executive Director of Athletics
Sandee Mott awarded the 2025-26 Pioneer Athletics Champion Award to Sherrie Taylor. The award is given yearly to an individual or group who went above and beyond in their service to our student-athletes and department.
"This award is given to an individual, couple, group or business who has demonstrated outstanding support of the Pioneer teams and staff by sharing their time, talent and treasure," Mott said. "This year's winner exemplifies all of these characteristics tenfold. If the doors to an athletics venue are open, Sherrie Taylor is here, if not, she is watching via live stream. She believes in not only the power of education, but the incredible power of a Texas Woman's education to transform lives. She also understands the transforming power of athletics in the life of girls and women. She is passionate about the success of every student-athlete. It is my honor to present this award to a TWU alumna, an exuberant Pioneer fan and my friend, Sherrie Taylor. It is fitting to say that Sherrie is the only two-time winner of this award, which highlights her consistent support of our programs over multiple decades."
Following the Athletic Director's Award presentation, the 2026 SAAC awards were announced. Each year, SAAC nominates and votes on four awards.
First, the Comeback Player of the Year Award is awarded to the athlete who suffered from an injury the previous season and worked to come back this season.
The 2025-26 Comeback Player of the Year winner is
Jerusalem Temple.
Jerusalem Temple, a sophomore for TWU Artistic Swimming, suffered an injury last season and returned to the pool with the Pioneers in 2026. She helped the Pioneers secure a top four finish at U.S. Collegiate Nationals. At U.S. Collegiate Nationals, Temple placed first in C Figures.
Second, the Newcomer of the Year is awarded to a first-year Pioneer athlete with notable achievements in their first season.
The 2025-26 Newcomer of the Year is
Madi Lumsden.
Madi Lumsden, a junior, joined the TWU Basketball team this season after playing her first two seasons at Angelo State. Lumsden started in 33 games for the Pioneers. She averaged 10.2 points per game on 43.6% from the field and 82.8% from the free throw line. She also averaged 2.6 rebounds per game and 2.1 assists per game. Lumsden earned Third Team All-LSC honors. Lumsden helped guide the Pioneers to their fourth straight LSC Regular Season Title, their third straight LSC Tournament Title and their third straight Sweet Sixteen appearance.
Basketball's historic season was honored as the 2025-26 Performance of the Year.
The final SAAC award, the Athletes' Choice Award, is awarded to an athlete who represents what it means to be a Pioneer — one who embodies passion for their sport, love for their teammates and overall care for their community.
The 2025-26 Athletes' Choice Award winner is
Tori Woods.
Tori Woods, a senior for TWU Volleyball, exemplifies the qualities of a Pioneer. During her senior season with the Pioneers, Woods played in 94 sets and recorded 315 total kills to average 3.35 kills per set. She also finished with 13 total aces and 269 total digs. On the season, she averaged 3.66 points per set. During the season, she eclipsed 1,000 career kills and 1,000 career digs. At the conclusion of the regular season, she was named to the All-LSC First Team and to the LSC All-Academic Team. Woods also earned LSC All-Tournament Team honors.
The night of celebration ended by honoring the 2025-26 Pioneer student-athletes graduates. They are listed below:
2025-26 Graduates
The night concluded with the awarding of the Oakley's Cup, which was created to support the all-around growth of student-athletes through teamwork across all departments, community outreach, academic achievement, and athletic performance. The 2026 Oakley Cup winner was TWU Artistic Swim.
We are thankful for a historical year of incredible memories and continued commitment to empowering student-athletes through athletics.
-PIONEERS-
