Pioneer Gymnastics came up short to the Michigan Wolverines despite a school record performance on their last rotation of floor last Saturday evening at Hamilton Gymnasium.

Just under 1400 fans turned out to see the Wolverines defeat the Pioneers by a score of 197.025 – 195.750.

The 11th -ranked Pioneers began their evening on the vault recording their second best score of the season with a 49.050. Senior Michelle Kasuga, who set a personal best in the event with a 9.85, led Denver. Kasuga went on to tie for third in the event. Juniors Ashley Shible and Emily Bankhead also had good vault performances and went on to finish closely behind Kasuga with scores of 9.825.

The Pioneers then moved to the uneven bars where they continued their excellent start recording a score of 49.275. Kasuga led the Pioneers with a score of 9.95 and went on to win the event. Senior Jacquelin Young also put in a strong performance to finish third with a score of 9.875.

The third rotation of the evening for the Pioneers was the balance beam where they were unfortunately forced to count four falls en route to recording their second-lowest score of the season with a 47.775. However, Bankhead had a strong performance to finish second with a score of 9.875 just behind Michigan’s Jenny Deiley who won the event with a 9.925.

The Pioneers entered the floor routine on somewhat of a low note after the balance beam, but were able to turn it all around. DU was led by Bankhead who won her fifth floor routine of the season and set a personal best of 9.975. DU posted a school-record of 49.650 while Jessica Kennedy and Karyssa Ancellotti tied their career bests. Kennedy recorded a 9.875 while Ancellotti recorded a 9.95 and finished in a tie for third with fellow teammate Ashley Shible.

This coming Saturday, the Pioneers will host Western Michigan, Illinois, and Air Force in a competition that will be held at Hamilton Gymnasium at 6 p.m.