TUSCALOOSA, Ala. The No. 19 University of Denver gymnastics team took second to No. 9 Alabama on the road at the Crimson Tide’s Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, Ala. on Friday night. The Pioneers totaled 193.350 points, while Alabama posted a season-high 197.025.

 

Senior All-American Jessica Lpez (Caracas, Venezuela) and junior Kelley Hennigan (The Woodlands, Texas) both competed in the all-around competition for the Pioneers. Lpez placed first with her second consecutive 39.500, while Hennigan took third place with a 38.975.

 

Lpez led the Pioneers on each event. She tied for first on both bars and floor with a season high 9.925 on bars and a 9.900 on floor. Lpez took third on vault with a 9.850 and tied for fifth on beam with a 9.825.

 

Hennigan tied her season-highs on beam (9.700) and floor (9.750) en route to tying her personal best all-around score.

 

Three more Pioneers posted season-best scores against Alabama. Senior Liz Meals (Gibsonia, Pa.) tied her season best with a 9.775 on vault and improved her 2009 floor score with a 9.725, while sophomore Amanda Johanson (Park City, Utah) tied her career high on vault with a season-best 9.725 and fellow sophomore Annamari Maaranen (Tampere, Finland) tied her season-best 9.775 on bars.

 

The Pioneers return to action in Hamilton Gymnasium next Saturday when they take on No. 7 Oklahoma in the Burnsley Invitational/Link to Pink Meet. The team will wear pink leotards and sell pink Denver Gymnastics t-shirts during the meet to raise awareness of breast cancer. Fans will also have the opportunity to donate via pledge cards called “Stick it to Cancer,” with all profits going to the Denver Komen Foundation.

 

Tickets for the 6 p.m. meet can be purchased by calling the DU Ticket Office at 303-871-2336. Tickets are also available on-line at www.DenverPioneers.com.

 

- PIONEERS -