The women’s gymnastics team, currently ranked No. 6 in the nation, earned a 197.625 in front of a sold-out crowd in Hamilton Gymnasium, a score that is the highest of the season and the second-highest score in program history.
In the all-around, sophomore Lynnzee Brown (Kansas City, Mo.) tied the program record, scoring a 39.775. This matches Nina McGee’s score from Feb. 27, 2016.
Denver began the meet on vault, where they scored a season-best 49.325. Senior Kaitlyn Schou (Orlando, Fla.) led the team off with a 9.825. Her score was matched by fellow senior, Diana Chesnok (Charlotte, N.C.). Sophomore Mia Sundstrom (Boulder, Colo.) placed third in the event with a score of 9.850, junior Maddie Karr (Stillwater, Minn.) was second with a 9.900 and Brown took the event title with a career-high tying 9.925.
On bars, Brown scored a new career-high with a 9.975, contributing to Denver’s 49.400. Sophomore Emily Glynn (Longmont, Colo.) tied her season-best, scoring a 9.900 which was good for second in the event. Karr scored a 9.875, finishing DU’s sweep on the event. Freshman Alexandria Ruiz (Lake Mary, Fla.) scored a 9.850 and senior Claire Kern (Charlotte, N.C.) and Sundstrom both scored a 9.800.
Denver scored their second-best beam score in program history, earning a 49.475. Freshman Alexis Vasquez (Arcadia, Calif.) and Karr split the beam title with a pair of 9.925s while both Ruiz and Brown set career-bests with 9.850 and 9.900 respectively. Schou contributed a 9.875.
On the final event of the night, the floor, Denver matched their season-best score of 49.425. Sundstrom led the Pioneers off, scoring a 9.825, followed by Ruiz with a 9.875. Schou added a 9.850, Karr had a 9.900 and Brown finished the night off with a 9.975.
“It was a fantastic performance from Lynnzee tonight,” Head Coach Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart said after the meet. “I know no one would be prouder than Nina [McGee] herself. However, it was a complete team effort, and our goal is to keep getting stronger with each and every meet.” She continued, “We’re not concerned with scores or rankings or [Regional Qualifying Scores]. We’re exactly where we want to be.”
“I’m feeling confident because I’m doing in competition what I’ve been practicing. And it’s good to keep that consistency in pressure situations,” Brown said of her career night in the all-around. “I’ll just remember the environment. The team is finding that we’re most [successful] when we’re together and supporting each other.”
Denver finishes up its three-meet home stand on Sunday, Feb. 24 at 2 p.m. MST against No. 10 Boise State and No. 23 Iowa State in Magness Arena. This meet is Denver’s annual pink meet, in honor of breast cancer awareness and fans are encouraged to wear pink.
