LINCOLN, Neb. - No. 18 Denver posted a final score of 194.175 to end the month of February with a third place finish at the Master's Classic on Sunday Afternoon at the Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln, Neb.
No. 11 Nebraska finished first with a final score of 196.425, while No. 20 Arizona took second with a score of 194.700. No. 25 West Virginia rounded out the field with a final of 192.975.
"The team did a good job today of keeping their composure and dealt with distractions," said head coach Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart. "This was our toughest meet of the season and I think we learned a lot today that we will be able to take into the final meets of the season."
Sophomore Brianna Artemev (Arvada, Colo.) finished in fourth place in the all-around with a score of 39.100. Senior Kelley Hennigan (The Woodlands, Texas) finished in sixth with a 38.950. Artemev and Hennigan finished tied for third place on bars with scores of 9.825.
Senior Lauren Garan (Cos Cob, Conn.), who did not compete against Air Force on Monday, posted a 9.775 on beam, but DU was forced to count a fall and ended the first rotation in fourth place with a score of 47.900. The Cornhuskers' 49.175 on vault put them in first place, while Arizona recorded a 48.600 on floor and WVU scored a 48.150 on bars.
The Pioneers moved into third place in the second rotation with a score of 48.675 on floor, propelled by Artemev's 9.800. Nebraska and Arizona maintained first and second place as the Cornhuskers scored a 48.975 on bars and the Gymcats put up a 48.925 on vault. WVU fell to fourth with a 48.000 on beam.
Artemev posted another 9.800 on vault as Denver held third place after three rotations with a score of 145.350. Nebraska held its lead with a 49.000 on beam, Arizona scored a 48.875 on bars and the Mountaineers recorded a 48.550 on floor.
DU posted a 48.825, its highest score of the meet, on bars to finish with a final score of 194.175.
Nebraska claimed or tied for first in every event of the meet, including Maria Scaffidi's first-place finish in the all-around with a 39.300.
Denver will stay on the road, traveling to Alabama for a dual meet against No. 16 Auburn on March 5.
