Photo by: David Lorish
The No. 14-ranked women’s gymnastics team is anticipating another big season, and they are already off to a winning start.
The Pioneers won their first two meets, beating out No.18 Penn State, the Air Force Academy with a score of 194.650.
In their season opener, they scored a 195.575, the highest season opening score in seven years.
The gymnasts started the season ranked No. 17.
“We had a hair bit of an off year last year and I feel like we’re definitely back on track,” said head coach Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart.
Last year, DU sent former Pioneer Jessica Lopez and current senior Kelley Hennigan to the NCAA National Championships as individual all-around qualifiers. The team, however, didn’t advance past NCAA regionals. But Kutcher-Rinehart says this season is going to be different.
“Honestly, we really don’t have a superstar,” she said. “This is a total team effort.”
And the team agrees.
“This team has so much chemistry and it has the ability to back each other up,” Hennigan said.
The Pioneers added four fresh faces to the roster: Elizabeth Ames, Simona Castro Lazo, Emily Reichert and Jaleesa Wilson.
“This team has a lot of pride in their gymnastics. I think this is definitely the best team I’ve been on since I’ve been here,” said junior Kristina Coccia. “We have accountability toward our routines this year.”
Denver starts off the season with four national individual rankings in the top 25.
Sophomore Brianna Artemev, formerly Brianna Springer, married U.S. Olympic bronze medalist Alexander Artemev.
Artemev is ranked No. 20 in the country with a high of 39.150 in the all-around and average 39.00.
She is also ranked No. 19 on the uneven bars with an average score of 9.837.
Sophomore Louise Mercer ranks No. 14 in the floor exercise, posting an average of 9.862.
Not far behind is junior Kristina Coccia in No. 18 with an average of 9.850, also on the floor exercise.
“I really like the character of the team,” Kutcher-Rinehart said. “They’re showing a lot of discipline, a lot of dedication a lot of perseverance.”
Kutcher-Rinehart and the team say they’re the first to admit their routines haven’t been perfect, but they know they’re on the right track.
“I feel like we look strong, but you can certainly see the nerves at the first home meet,” Kutcher-Rinehart said. “I think we’re going to be in a really nice position.”
Saturday, the Pioneers will host Brigham Young University and Central Michigan in Hamilton Gymnasium at 6 p.m.
“I’m really looking forward to a great season,” Kutcher-Rinehart said.
