DENVER - The University of Denver gymnastics team set 14 career-high scores in the victory over Texas Woman's University, 195.00-189.400, on Saturday evening before a crowd of 1,103 in Hamilton Gymnasium.
"I thought we did a great job stepping up from last weekend to this weekend," said head coach Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart. "We did some phenomenal training this week, and if we keep doing those things in practice week after week, focusing on the process and not the outcome, we're going to get better each and every weekend."
The Pioneers were led by junior Louise Mercer (Nottingham, England), who posted career marks of 9.900 and 9.750 on uneven bars and balance beam, respectively, and won the all-around with a personal-best 39.175.
The Denver gymnasts scored a 48.700 on vault in the first rotation and took the early lead over TWU, which recorded a 48.125 on uneven bars. Junior Brianna Springer (Arvada, Colo.) led the way for DU on vault, posting a 9.800.
Denver had a number of outstanding performances in the second rotation on uneven bars, highlighted by Mercer and Springer's personal-best scores of 9.990 and senior Annamari Maaranen (Tampere, Finland), who posted a 9.850. As a team, DU posted a 49.150 on bars to take a 97.850-95.925 lead over TWU after two rotations.
DU posted a 48.600 on balance beam in the third rotation, led by freshman Jorie Hall (Denver, Colo.), who scored a 9.825. TWU posted a 46.350 on floor, and Denver held a 146.450-142.275 lead heading into the final rotation.
Mercer led Denver on floor in the fourth rotation, posting a 9.850. Freshman Melodie Pulgarin Linero (Martorell, Spain) posted a personal-best 9.800, and Denver combined for a team score of 48.550.
DU had four competitors in the all-around, with freshmen Pularin Linero and Moriah Martin (Lake Mary, Fla.) making their first appearances. Martin posted a 38.675 and Pulgarin Linero recorded a 38.050 and Martin recorded a 38.675 to place third and fourth, respectively, in the all-around. Springer claimed second place in the all-around with an overall score of 39.075.
Next, the Pioneers travel to Norman, Okla. to face No. 7 Oklahoma and No. 8 Oregon State.
