SEATTLE (April 8, 2017) - The Pioneers have done it again. Texas Woman's University secured its 10
th USA Gymnastics National Championship Saturday night, the first since 2008, at host Seattle Pacific University by defeating two-time defending champion Lindenwood, along with top-seeded Bridgeport and Cornell. TWU registered a program record with a score of 196.125 as five Pioneers set or matched career-highs inside Brougham Pavilion.
The Pioneers entered the finals with the third-highest score from the Friday's semifinals, a 194.250, as Bridgeport boasted a 195.575, Lindenwood a 195.100 and Cornell a 194.200. Not only did TWU overcome being ranked as the third-seed entering Friday and Saturday's competition, the Pioneers also trailed heading into the final rotation of the evening, .075 behind Bridgeport.
TWU began the evening on bars and posted a team score of 48.750.
Hunter Vincent was first up with a 9.575,
Schyler Jones came in next with a 9.625, and
Alyssa Kelly tied her career-high with a 9.825.
Katie Simpson swung to a 9.725,
Jenna Cashmore tallied a 9.800, and
Bria Northrop finished with a 9.775 as the Pioneers put themselves in third place overall.
Simpson started the beam for the Pioneers with a 9.750 before
Mallory Moredock came through with a career-high 9.875. Alderman confidently put up a 9.825,
Alyssa Kelly scored a 9.075 and Jones tallied an impressive 9.875.
Hunter Vincent tied a career-best with a 9.825 while her teammates could not contain their excitement in the corral as the stanchions surrounding them came crashing down. The team inched into second place after registering a 97.900 and trailed Bridgeport by .325.
Kaitlyn Holley tied her career-high on floor set last night in her third performance of the season with a 9.775, Simpson kept on with a 9.800 and Alderman tallied a 9.850. Jones matched her career-high with a 9.900, and Northrop had her best performance of the season with a 9.925 that erupted the passionate TWU contingency in the stands. The floor rotation closed the gap to .075 behind Bridgeport heading into the final event.
The last rotation for the Pioneers was vault where the squad had a record-setting performance Friday, while Bridgeport headed into their final event on bars. Moredock led off with a strong 9.825, Alderman cashed in a career-high 9.775, and
Megan Gentry vaulted to a 9.800 in her second showing of the season to place the Pioneers in a good position within the standings as the Purple Knights were not faring as well on bars. Simpson totaled a 9.775, Jones hit a 9.800 and Northrop wrapped up with a 9.225.
The Pioneers finished before Bridgeport allowing TWU to calculate scores and gain hope as more Purple Knight scores flashed on the scoreboard. Once UB's scores were all in, Coach Bowerman announced in the team huddle that the team had accomplished their championship goal. Shortly thereafter, the official announcement was made and the Pioneers made their way to the stage to receive their championship plaques and hats.
A welcome home greeting will take place on campus Monday afternoon. The exact time is still to be determined, so stay tuned to Pioneer social media accounts.
TWU will compete for additional championships Sunday during the individual finals taking place at 3 p.m. CST.
