DENVER - No. 16 University of Denver opened up the 2011 season with a score of 193.225, placing third behind No. 7 University of Georgia and Brigham Young University, but topping in-state rival Air Force in a four-team showdown Saturday night at Magness Arena.
Junior Louise Mercer (Nottingham, England) had a big night for the Pioneers recording a 38.875 to place third in her first career all around appearance, and finishing second in the floor exercise (9.825) and uneven bars (9.850).
"It was great to have such strong competition here tonight, but for Denver gymnastics this was a sub-par performance and we have some improvements to make," head coach Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart said. "Of course there were bright spots and Louise was great tonight, but we have a lot of work to do in the gym over the next week."
The event drew 3,462 fans into Magness Arena, a good test-run for Denver, which will host NCAA Regionals in the venue on April 2. Denver improved its record against Air Force to 83-4. The Pioneers are now 21-19 and 0-13 against BYU and Georgia, respectively.
"Huge praise goes out to the staff here at DU and the facility folks who put this meet together," added Kutcher-Rinehart. "It was a great crowd and it was fun to see so many fans out here tonight."
Georgia posted a score of 195.575 to claim first, followed by BYU (193.225) and Air Force (186.600).
Denver began the contest on the vault. Led by a score of 9.800 from freshman Moriah Martin (Lake Mary, Fla.) and a 9.700 from junior Brianna Springer (Arvada, Colo.), DU posted a 48.475 and was in second place after the first rotation. Georgia's team score of 48.775 on the uneven bars was enough to give the Gym Dogs the lead going into the second rotation.
The Pioneers moved to the uneven bars for their second rotation and posted a 48.700 thanks in part to Mercer who scored 9.850 and senior Annamari Maaranen (Tampere, Finland) who added a score of 9.800. After two rotations, DU trailed Georgia 97.671-97.175.
For their third rotation, the Pioneers went to the balance beam and posted a 47.625. Freshman Melodie Pulgarin Linero (Mortorell, Spain) led Denver with a score of 9.725 and senior Taylor Sanford (Omaha, Neb.) added a 9.675.
Denver finished the night on floor, recording a 48.125, with scores of 9.825 and 9.725 coming from Mercer and Springer, respectively. However, BYUrecorded its highest score of the contest, a 48.750 on bars, to pass the Pioneers in the final rotation.
Georgia was led by Cassidy McComb, who placed first in the all-around with a 39.150, and Noel Crouch, who finished second in the all-around (39.050).
Denver next plays host to Texas Women's University on Saturday at Hamilton Gymnasium at 6 p.m.
