Photo by: Sports Media Relations
Sophomore sensation Ashley Shible earned an NCAA bid during the North Central Gymnastics regional last Saturday at the Magness Arena during University of Denver’s third-place finish.
The No. 14 Pioneers (16-3) scored a 196 during the regional competition behind the No. 3 University of Georgia and No. 10 Stanford, who tied for first with scores of 196.125. By not placing in the top-two, Denver failed in their bid for a repeat appearance at nationals. Last year, Denver advanced to its first-ever NCAA Championships on the strength of a 193.
Shible scored a third-place all-around finish, earning her a spot in the NCAA Championships.
“I’m really, really proud of the athletes. They did a fantastic job,” Coach Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart said about the team’s performance.
The Pioneers began the evening on the uneven bars with a team score of 48.550, leaving them in third after the first rotation. Sophomore Michelle Kasuga led the Pioneers with a 9.875, while Shible and junior Jacquelin Young hit 9.775’s. Sophomore Emily Bankhead and freshman Jessica Kennedy added 9.65’s.
The Pioneers improved during their second rotation when they took to the balance beam. They scored a team total of 49.075 after four athletes scored 9.8’s or higher. In her last collegiate meet, senior Melanie Schiff overcame an earlier slip and led the way with a 9.875, third overall. Kasuga added a 9.825 and sophomore Rose Kiernan and Bankhead each scored 9.8s.
In the third rotation for DU, the Pioneers scored their third-best total in school history and second best of the season in the floor exercise. Bankhead led the way with a season-best 9.925, which was enough to place third in the meet. Shible and Kasuga both tallied 9.9’s while freshman Karyssa Ancellotti matched her career-best 9.875. Schiff contributed with a 9.8.
The Pioneers concluded the meet with the vault. Shible hit a 9.9 to place second overall in the event. Ancellotti hit a 9.875. Senior Jill Gunter added a 9.750. Bankhead and Kennedy vaulted to a 9.725 and Young rounded out with a 9.675.
In women’s gymnastics, the top two teams from six regions earn the right to compete for the NCAA Championship. This year’s event will be held in Tuscaloosa, Ala., next Thursday. It will be broadcasted on CBS at 1 p.m. on April 28.
