After edging out No. 11 Nebraska for the first time in 16 years last week, the Pioneers gymnastics team managed another impressive victory on Saturday, this time defeating No. 15 Minnesota 194.700 to 193.525 in Hamilton Gymnasium.

The gymnastics team competed in front of a sell-out crowd of 1,132 people at the Winterfest Invitational meet.

“I really felt good about our performance tonight,” said head coach Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart. “There are still areas where we need to take advantage of our opportunities though. We haven’t put it all together yet.”

Senior All-American Jessica López helped lead the Pioneers to victory, posting a first-place score of 9.975 on the balance beam.

López’s score tied for the second best score in Denver Pioneers gymnastic history.

Ana Balboa of Minnesota took second place on beam, posting a 9.825.

Freshman Brianna Springer, senior Nikki Brown and two Gophers tied for third place on the beam, with scores of 9.800 each.

Competing in the all-around were junior Kelley Hennigan and Springer.

Springer took the No. 2 spot with an all-around score of 38.675, just behind Minnesota’s 39.150 and ahead of Hennigan’s 38.575.

Hennigan placed first on the vault with a personal best of 9.875.

On the uneven bars, sophomore Amanda Johanson and Brown tied for first, recording scores of 9.850.

“It [the victory] felt good,” said Johanson.

“We are climbing up and are going to keep getting better.”

Springer posted a personal best and her first victory as a Pioneer scoring 9.825 on the floor exercise.

Sophomore Kristina Coccia claimed third with a score of 9.775, a personal best.

DU is 7-4 all time against Minnesota and faced the Gophers for the first time since 2006 in a dual meet.

The Gopher’s have climbed seven spots in rankings since the preseason.

The Pioneers challenge Maryland and North Carolina State on the road in College Park, Md. next Friday, Jan. 23 at 5 p.m. as the Winterfest Invitational continues.