SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 469

WHEREAS, The Texas Woman's University athletic program furthered its remarkable legacy of excellence during the 2024-2025 sports year; and

WHEREAS, Among the school's many achievements, the Texas Woman's gymnastics team clinched a first-place finish at the 2025 Women's Collegiate Gymnastics National Invitational Championships, marking the 13th time in program history that the Pioneers collected the national crown; competing on April 12, TWU set a program record in the balance beam event with a score of 49.325 and posted an overall score of 196.175, just fractions off the school record it set at a meet on March 9; at the WCGNIC individual event finals, Kaitlyn Hoiland earned the national championship in the uneven bars and a silver medal in the vault; in addition, Sophie Hernandez placed second in the balance beam competition, and Trinity Caffey took home the bronze medal in the vault; and

WHEREAS, The TWU gymnasts racked up multiple national accolades; Ms. Hoiland was named the Women's Collegiate Gymnastics Association Division II Gymnast of the Year, and she and Ms. Hernandez joined Morgan Price, Kyleigh Ghanbari, Abigail Kenney, and Steelie King as WCGA Division II All-American selections for the regular season; additionally, Bailey Upton was honored as the Midwest Independent Conference Newcomer of the Year; head coach Lisa Bowerman was recognized as the WCGA Division II Coach of the Year, and assistant coaches Zan Jones and Kyana George shared honors as both the WCGA Division II and MIC Assistant Coaches of the Year; and

WHEREAS, In just its eighth year of competition, the Pioneer Pride dance team realized a milestone when it secured the Dance Spirit Rally Division II championship at the National Cheerleaders Association & National Dance Alliance College Nationals; in addition, the pom squad finished first in the Spirit Rally division and garnered the Innovative Choreography Award; the Spirit Rally Division II title was the first in program history, capping off a stellar year during which the TWU athletes swept the field at the American Dance/Drill Team Competition, winning the pom and hip-hop events en route to being crowned the overall Division II champion for the first time; moreover, TWU was awarded a gold bid at NDA Summer Camp and placed second in the pom competition at the USA Collegiate Championships; and

WHEREAS, The TWU women's basketball team also enjoyed an exceptional campaign, advancing all the way to the regional championship game of the NCAA Division II national tournament and setting the school record for fewest losses in a season by dropping only two contests; the Pioneers claimed their third straight Lone Star Conference regular-season title, and head coach Beth Jillson recorded her 300th career victory; furthermore, Ashley Ingram set program records in points and rebounds and was named a College Sports Communicators Academic All-American for the second consecutive year; and

WHEREAS, Through hard work and an unwavering resolve to give their very best, the student-athletes of Texas Woman's University have brought great credit to their school and their community, and they may indeed reflect with pride on all that they have accomplished; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th Legislature, hereby congratulate the Texas Woman's University athletic program for its success during the 2024-2025 sports year and extend to all those associated with the school sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared for the school as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.

Hagenbuch

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 1, 2025.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate