In DU’s inaugural Western Athletic Conference competition, the women’s gymnastics team posted a season-high 196.40 in a dual meet with Sacramento State on Saturday in Hamilton Gymnasium.

With the strong performance, Denver improved its Regional Qualifying score to 195.27 and improved from No. 20 to No. 19 in the national rankings. The Hornets posted a final score of 193.75.

“It’s great to see the work the girls put into practice come out into competition,” said head coach Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart. “Every single day, they are focusing on character, excellence and teamwork and are putting in the little things every day that make a difference when you come into a competition.”

Senior Louise Mercer joined the ranks of Pioneer elites when she tied 2009 DU graduate and Venezuelan Olympian Jessica Lopez with the 3rd-best score on bars in school history, a 9.975.

“I posted my career high of 9.975, so that was just really fun. We had a great meet as a team,” said Mercer. “We worked super hard in the gym this week, and it’s really starting to pay off. I’m just really excited to see what the rest of the season has in store for us.”

Sophomore Moriah Martin also had an outstanding evening, winning her fourth vault title and first floor title of the season, with a score of 9.90 in both events. Martin also won the All-Around competition with a career-high of 39.425.

The No. 16 Pioneer vault team posted a season-high 49.175 in its winning effort. The floor team, also No. 16, continued its excellent performance by posting a score of 49.25, 0.329 points higher than their season average.

The Pioneers will host Western Michigan, Missouri and West Virginia in Denver’s first quad meet of the season on Saturday at 6 p.m. in Hamilton Gymnasium.