DENVER - Freshman Jorie Hall (Denver, Colo.) claimed a share of the balance beam title, joining junior Brianna Springer (Arvada, Colo.) in qualifying for the NCAA National Championships as No. 19 Denver recorded a 195.625 to finish fourth at the 2011 NCAA North Central Regional Championships in front of a home crowd of 2,756 on Saturday evening at Magness Arena.

Hall tied with Bekah Gher from Boise State University in the balance beam, scoring a career-best 9.900 and punching her first ticket to nationals. Springer finished with a 39.250 as the second all-around competitor not on a qualifying team. She will be making her second appearance as an individual at nationals.

"I am so proud of Jorie and Brianna. They have worked so hard to get to this point and tonight it really paid off," head coach Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart said. "Of course it is disappointing not to be going to nationals as a team, but we performed well tonight and I am so proud of this team."

No. 12 Arkansas upset No. 1 Florida and took the regional title with a score of 196.550. The Gators posted a 196.425 and No. 13 Boise State finished third at 196.400. Arkansas and Florida will compete at the NCAA National Championships held in Cleveland, Ohio on April 22-24.

Denver opened the competition on the uneven bars, putting together five good performances, including a 9.850 from Springer. The Pioneers were fourth after the first rotation, posting a 48.725. Denver moved to the balance beam for its second rotation, scoring a 48.950. Hall's 9.900 was Denver's best and the Pioneers remained in fourth place after two full rotations.

Springer, freshman Kaitlin Moorhead (Palo Alto, Calif.) and senior Kristina Coccia (Bethlehem, Pa.) all recorded scores of 9.850 in the floor exercise and helped Denver post a 49.125 score. Denver finished the night on the vault and freshman Moriah Martin scored a 9.825 to lead the Pioneers. Denver finished with a 48.825 in the event.

"We are starting to get this program to where we want it. We are a young group and I am really proud of the way everyone stepped up tonight," Kutcher-Rinehart added.

Arizona finished fifth with a score of 195.400, while Brigham Young placed sixth with a 194.650.  

Denver will return 10 of its 14 student-athletes in 2011-12. Saturday's meet marked the final competition for seniors Coccia, Taylor Sanford (Omaha, Neb.), Annamari Maaranen (Tampere, Finland) and Amanda Johanson (Park City, Utah).