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TWU Home > Student Life > Athletics > Gymnastics > 4/18/08
Pioneer Post – April 18, 2008
(Editor's Note: This is the fourth in a series of "Pioneer Posts" from Shreveport, Lousiana detailing the TWU Pioneers experiences at the 2008 USA Gymnastics Women's Collegiate National Championships. Read all of the "Pioneer Posts" from Nationals week by clicking here)
Hello Pioneer Gymnastics Fans!!!
 WOW! What an incredible evening!!! I’m proud to say that the TWU Gymnastics team just won the USAG Women’s Collegiate National Championship for the ninth time!
It was an evening filled with smiles and tears of joy. The team started the meet on vault. We had to count a fall, but we didn’t let that rattle us; we kept our cool knowing that we still had three strong events to make up for the uncharacteristic poor start on vault. The next event was bars, and we certainly picked it up!! The bar team hit six for six routines and produced an impressive bar team score of 48.700. The momentum continued on beam. The beam team was spectacular! The team was pumped up going into our last rotation- floor. The team scores were announced as we were rotating, and we had moved from fourth place (after vault) into first place! This was great motivation for us to keep the momentum going! We had fought so hard after the shaky start on vault; there was no way we were going to let anyone sneak ahead of us. Amy Hulbert started the floor team off with a beautiful routine; she really got us going! The team was so excited. Everyone nailed their routines- one after the other. I’m extremely pleased to say that the floor team broke the school record with a 49.125! We knew we had done it after the remarkable floor performances. There were smiles all around (see picture above) along with congratulatory high-fives and tears of joy. I’m especially proud of the freshmen tonight- they competed with such confidence at their first USAG National Championship meet. They did their jobs and contributed tremendously to the final team score.
Coach said that if we hadn’t learned all the lessons throughout the season, we never would have been able to do what we did tonight. We started out in last place after having to count a fall on vault, but we hung in there as a team, and we didn’t tighten up or get anxious. This just goes to show that it’s not over until it’s over! We were able to pick it up after vault, and finish like champions. WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!!!! Number nine! What a sweet victory!
After being announced as the 2008 USAG Women’s Collegiate National Champions, the team, family, friends, and fans headed back to the hotel for dinner. We got to visit and celebrate the well-earned victory.
I just want to thank my amazing teammates, coaches, trainers, and parents for being so supportive and for making my last gymnastics meet a very memorable one. The team is so appreciative of all of our fans that have been so supportive this season! Thank you all so much!
I will miss my teammates tremendously. Thank you all for being such a special part of my life. I love you all!! I will cherish the memories forever!
The team has one more day of competition tomorrow- individual event finals. We have seven gymnasts representing TWU: Mollie Blessing, Brittany Parker, Nicole Poling, Courtney Arno-Templet, Amanda Walker, Tonya Pipkorn, and Amie Boles. Check back tomorrow for the results of the individual finals.
ONE TEAM
ONE DREAM
EMBRACE THE CHALLENGE!!!
Go Pioneers!!!
Nicole Poling
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