Junior Kelley Hennigan and senior All-American Jessica López will compete on Thursday in Lincoln, Nebraska to represent DU gymnastics in the NCAA National Championship in the all-around competition.
Unfortunately, for these two athletes they will not be accompanied by their team who, stood strong, but fell against powerhouse schools University of Florida and UCLA at the regional competition.
López tied for first place in the all-around competition scoring 9.925, giving her a national berth at the regional meet two weeks ago.
“It was very upsetting and sad that we didn’t qualify as a team. I was also very proud we did our best facing lager schools like Florida and UCLA,” López said.
In the days leading up to the national competition both girls will continue to perfect their routines, just as they have done all season.
“My only goal is to go out there and do my best,” López said. At the NCAA the judges are going to be looking for perfection.
“They are going to deduct for any tiny mistake. This week I need to work on perfecting details in my routines so I have a chance to score high,.”
Hennigan will focus on the uneven bars this week and admits confidence plays a crucial role in her preparation.
“It’s a lot of numbers in the gym,” said Hennigan. “And it’s a lot of confidence in knowing that I have done these routines so many times, and no matter where I am I can hit a routine.”
This will be López’s last competition as a Pioneer. “I feel honored to have the chance to represent DU at the National Championship. The past two years I have been there with the team and it has been an amazing experience,” said López of her time at DU.
For López, an NCAA National title would be a “perfect ending” to her experience at DU. Even without a national title López has already had a substantial impact on the gymnastics program.
López’s individual records have placed her among some of DU’s top gymnasts. She was the first DU gymnast to ever qualify and compete in the Olympic games.
In 2007, López became the DU’s first-ever three-time All-American gymnast. In 2008, she witnessed more ground breaking accomplishments by finishing her season with the best regular season in school history, winning nine all-around titles and 24 individual event titles.
