On Sunday, Jan. 24, No. 6 Denver Gymnastics beat Boise State University and Iowa State University, putting up the program’s second-highest score, 197.725. Denver has put up four consecutive scores above 197 for the first time in school history.
Denver broke the program record on the beam, a record standing since 2004, with a score of 49.550. The team’s vault, 49.350, and floor, 49.425, scores were season bests.
“We definitely demonstrated consistency, character and confidence today. It was a busy week academically, but I was incredibly proud of their mental toughness and ability to focus,” Head Coach Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart said. “They did a good job of taking it one event at a time, one person at a time. They were very good at managing the energy and momentum throughout the meet, but we still have room to improve.”
The Pioneers started the meet on vault, where freshman Alexandria Ruiz (Lake Mary, Fla.) led the team off with a 9.775, followed by a 9.800 from junior Kaitlyn Shou (Orlando, Fla.). Junior Diana Chesnok (Charlotte, N.C.) and sophomore Lynzee Brown (Kansas City, Mo.) both tied their personal bests with scores of 9.925 and 9.875 respectively. Junior Maddie Karr (Stillwater, Minn.) scored a 9.975, claiming the event title.
Denver then moved on to the bars, where they tied their fifth-best score in program history. Sophomore Emily Glynn (Longmont, Colo.) claimed the event title with a score of 9.925. Denver swept the podium for the bars as Karr scored a 9.900, finishing second, and Ruiz and Brown tied for third with matching scores of 9.875. Senior Claire Kern (Charlotte, N.C.) and sophomore Mia Sundstrom (Boulder, Colo.) contributed 9.825 and 9.800, respectively.
On the beam, the Pioneers collected three scores above 9.900 to secure the highest-ever beam score. Brown led the team off with a 9.875, a score that was matched by Ruiz. Freshman Alexis Vasquez (Arcadia, Calif.) tied her career-high with a score of 9.950, winning the event title. Karr and Schou posted matching 9.925’s to tie for second.
On the floor, Schou tied her career-best of 9.900 to share the floor title with Karr and Brown. Ruiz scored a 9.875 and Sundstrom posted a 9.850 to end out the night.
“It was a great night on beam, breaking a 15-year-old record,” Kutcher-Rinehart added after the meet. “I think there’s a direct correlation between training and competition on beam, and they are very automatic. Everyone had a role tonight in a total team effort.”
Denver travels to Champaign, Ill. to take on Illinois on Friday, March 1. On Sunday, March 10, Denver returns for their final meet to take on No. 15 Nebraska, No. 20 Arizona State and Pittsburgh in Magness Arena.
