On Friday night, the University of Denver Pioneers placed second (193.200) behind Maryland (194.450), the host of the tournament, at the Comcast Center Pavilion in College Park, Md.
“Tonight was not our best performance,” said Denver gymnastics head coach Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart.”We are still not fielding our full line-up.”
The tournament was competitive as three competing teams were within three total points of each other at the end of competition. North Carolina State placed third with a score of 192.075.
The Pioneers are still not as healthy as they need to be in order to consistently compete this season. No Pioneer competed in the all-around competition.
Junior Kelley Hennigan and sophomore Annamari Maaranen competed in only one event and senior Jessica López and freshman Brianna Springer are still not at full strength.
“We can contend with anyone in the country,” Kutcher-Rinehart said. “We have the talent and skill level to win and we will be able to showcase that once we have everyone back in the line-up.”
Denver won the team title in vault, led by Springer and López who tied for second with scores of 9.825, a career high for Springer. Taylor Seamen of North Carolina State won the event with a posted score of 9.850.
Only a single Denver participant placed in the top three spots on bars, as junior Ellen McCarthy scored a 9.750 to tie for third place with Brittney Hardiman of North Carolina State.
First and second place went to Maryland’s Abbey Adams (9.800) and Brandi George (9.775).
The beam seemed to be the night’s toughest competition, with four participants tying for second place, each with a score of 9.825.
Senior Nikki Brown was the only Pioneer among the players tied for second place.
Two opponents took first place in the floor exercise, while sophomore Amanda Johanson managed a score of 9.775 to tie for third place with Maryland’s Michele Brenner and NC State’sB Ashley Shepard.
Denver competes this Saturday, Jan. 31, at 6 p.m. against Kent State, Alaska and Winona State at Colorado Club Night in Hamilton Gymnasium.
Olympic bronze medalist Sasha Artemev will be in attendance to sign autographs before the tournament.
