Jan. 7, 2005

Complete Results

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The 20th-ranked University of Denver gymnastics team opened its 2005 season Friday night, finishing in second-place in a quad meet hosted by Michigan State. The Pioneers scored a 193.875 to finish second behind the host Spartans (195.475) but in front of No. 8 LSU (193.675) and Ball State (190.025). Denver is 2-1 on the young season.

The Pioneers opened the meet on balance beam and were a bit rusty in scoring a 48.350. The Pioneers were led by a second-place and a career-best 9.875 from sophomore Casey Dobyns (Woodinville, Wash.) and a 9.85 from junior Cassidy Willingham (Mountain View, Calif.).

Denver's second event was floor exercise, where the Pioneers tallied a 48.250. Freshman Sasha Sullivan (Glen Allen, Va.), in her first collegiate meet, led the Pioneers with a 9.85 to finish second overall. Sophomore Heather Huffaker (DeSoto, Texas) was next with a 9.80 and sophomore transfer Gretchen Goerlitz (Neenah, Wis.) scored a 9.775 in her first meet for the Pioneers.

Third event for the Pioneers was the vault, Denver's best event of the night. Three Pioneers scored a 9.75 or higher, led by Dobyn's 9.85 that was tied with Ball State's Jenna Tarkington for tops in the meet. Huffaker scored a 9.825 to finish tied for third overall and freshman Courtney Butler (Naperville, Ill.) scored a 9.75 in her first collegiate meet as the Pioneers scored a meet-high 48.775.

Denver finished the meet on uneven bars, where two freshmen helped the Pioneers to a 48.500 team score. Butler's 9.750 paced the Pioneers and Sullivan was next with a 9.725.

Huffaker finished third in the all-around with a score of 38.825.

Denver is next in action next Saturday, Jan. 15 at 6 p.m. when it hosts Iowa in the annual alumni reunion meet in Hamilton Gymnasium.