TWU Defines Its Legacy With 13th National Title at Reimagined Championship

The 2025 season brought a rebrand to one of college gymnastics’ most unique championships. Formerly known as USAG nationals, the event for programs with fewer than seven and a half full scholarships introduced a new name and a refreshed identity: the Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics National Invitational Championship (WCGNIC). Though the Ivy League stepped away from participation and Air Force was absent, the competition retained its signature format thanks to the additions of Alaska and Greenville. With two four-team semifinals feeding into a four-team final, the structure stayed the same—but the stage felt renewed.

Among the teams rising to the moment was Texas Woman’s, a perennial powerhouse that returned to the championship with high expectations and a deep sense of purpose. Joining TWU in the final were SEMO, Bridgeport, and West Chester, all eager to make a statement in the inaugural edition under the new branding.

Despite entering as the favorite, TWU found itself in an early battle. After vault and floor rotations that head coach Lisa Bowerman described as “good but not our very, very best,” the Pioneers were only narrowly ahead, with SEMO close behind. A fall in the third rotation added even more pressure, but no team member flinched. “In the traditional gymnastics world, it’s like, ‘Oh, they’ve got bars and beam left,’” Bowerman said. “But for us, I knew we are so capable on those events, and as a team, they’ve grown so much.”

That growth showed. TWU responded not only by hitting when it mattered but by sealing its 13th national title with a program-record 49.325 on beam in the final rotation—a decisive, dominant finish that left no doubt.

This championship was more than just a title; it was a reflection of a season grounded in a team mantra: “Undeniably Us.” The Pioneers were tested throughout the year, from equipment malfunctions to high-pressure routines, and always rose to the occasion. In the team final, four gymnasts had to hit bar routines to avoid counting a fall—and they did. Its finish on beam wasn’t just historic—it was symbolic of who it is. TWU is adaptable. TWU is united. TWU is a team of record-breakers. TWU is a winner.

For Bowerman, this kind of sustained success isn’t a coincidence. It’s culture. “We’re very particular in our process of trying to get recruits to understand who we are and what we’re about,” she said. “We’re going to push [the athletes] physically and mentally so they grow as a person, as a student, and in their relationships.” That foundation starts in recruiting but is carried forward by current athletes and alumni. Freshmen arrive and are immediately introduced to what it means to be a TWU Pioneer, a legacy that’s passed down with care and pride.

This year’s team took it even further, spending intentional time aligning around their identity, goals and mission. “You just can’t ask for anything more than that,” Bowerman said. “It’s easy in certain moments or circumstances to say, ‘We’re good competitors,’ or ‘We’re this or that,’ but when it comes down to it—every single day, no matter the circumstances—who are we?”

In 2025, there’s no question: Texas Woman’s is the national champion.

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Article by Tavia Smith