Although the Pioneers were unable to advance as a team to the NCAA National Champions, freshman Lynnzee Brown (Kansas City, Mo.) qualified for the all-around individually with a score of 39.525. Her qualification continued Denver’s streak of qualifying at least one gymnast to the NCAA gymnast for the last 19 straight seasons.
“I’m very excited and honored to be in this position as a freshman,” Brown said, following the meet. “I’m excited to represent my team, and I hope I do it well.”
Denver began the competition on the floor, where they recorded a new season-best road score of 49.350. Brown tied her career-high score of 9.950, tying for second overall. Senior Nikole Addison (Fort Myers, Fla.) scored a 9.900, sophomore Maddie Karr (Stillwater, Minn.) and freshman Mia Sundstrom (Boulder, Colo.) scored 9.850. Junior Claire Kern (Charlotte, N.C.) earned a score of 9.800 to round out the scoring for Denver.
On vault, Denver scored a 49.125 overall, with each counted score at least a 9.800. Sundstrom tied her career-best of 9.850. She was followed by Brown, who also scored a 9.850, junior Kaitlyn Schou (Orlando, Fla.) with a 9.825 and Karr and Addison, who both scored 9.800s.
Denver moved on the bars, scoring a 49.325. Freshman Emily Glynn (Longmont, Colo.) and Brown lead the team with a tied score of 9.900, tying them for second overall. Karr scored a 9.875, Sundstrom scored a 9.850 and junior Claire Kern (Charlotte, N.C.) scored a 9.800.
The Pioneers finished the meet on beam, where Schou and Brown led the team in scoring with a 9.825. Karr and Addison scored 9.700, and Glynn’s 9.425 helped ensure that Denver would not have to count a fall on the event.
Denver finished third overall with a 196.275, the second-highest score in program history at the NCAA regions. Two of the Pioneers’ event scores were also second-highest NCAA Regionals scores in school history, the 49.350 on floor and 49.325 on the bars.
“We’re excited for Lynnzee to have this opportunity as a freshman. She’ll gain valuable experience that she can bring back to the team in the future. We’ve had a lot of adversity this year, and I truly believe it will make us stronger and tougher in the future.” Head Coach Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart said after the meet. “We have a very young team and a bright future, and it’s thanks to the contributions of our seniors (Addison, Leah Lomonte (Katy, Texas) and Claire Hammen (Loveland, Colo.)). They have bright futures, and we are so grateful for all they’ve contributed to DU Gymnastics.”
The NCAA National Championships are on April 20 and 21, at the Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis. Brown will compete in the semifinals on April 20, when individual titles and postseason All-American honors will be decided.
