March 7, 2003

Complete Results

CORVALLIS, Ore. - Ninth-ranked Oregon State posted its third 197 score this season Friday night and No. 13 Denver couldn't overcome a rough start on its first two events as the Pioneers finished second in the annual Shannico Inn-vitational meet in front of 4,106 fans at Gill Coliseum. The Pioneers (194.150) finished second behind Oregon State (197.050) and in front of Division II Seattle Pacific (190.625). With a split, the Pioneers' season record stands at 11-7.

The uneven bars were the first event for the Pioneers, and Denver fought their way through a rough outing to post a 48.800 team score. Leading the way for Denver was senior Michelle Kasuga (Defiance, Ohio), who tied for her sixth bars title of the season with a 9.90. She tied with two Oregon State gymnasts for top honors and led the Pioneers on the event for the eighth time in 10 meets this season. Juniors Ashley Shible (Palm Harbor, Fla.) and Emily Bankhead (Houston, Texas) were next for Denver as each recorded a 9.75.

Balance beam was Denver's second event, and the Pioneers struggled to a 47.875 team score in which they were forced to count a fall. Shible paced the Pioneers with a 9.75 to finish sixth in the meet as the host Beavers took the top five spots. Senior Jamie Martini (Houston, Texas) was next for Denver with a 9.675 and Bankhead was third on the team with a 9.65.

Floor exercise was Denver's third event of the night, statistically the Pioneers' best event this season. But the Pioneers struggled Friday to a 48.825, their second-lowest floor exercise score of the year. Shible paced the Pioneers with a 9.825 to finish fifth in the meet and sophomore Jessica Kennedy (West Chester, Pa.) finished tied for sixth with a 9.80.

The final rotation had Denver on vault, where the Pioneers posted a team score of 48.650. Kasuga led Denver with a 9.825 that tied her for third in the meet and Shible was next for the Pioneers with a 9.75. Bankhead finished third for Denver and tied for eighth with Shible.

Shible was Denver's high finisher in the all-around with a third-place finish at 39.075. Kasuga was fourth (39.025) and Bankhead fifth (38.875).

Denver is next in action next Friday night, March 14 when they travel to face the University of Kentucky at 5 p.m. MST.