DENVER - The University of Denver gymnastics concluded a successful week of camps last week as the Pioneers welcomed over 100 youth gymnastics to the four-night overnight camp and the three-day day camp in the DU gymnastics practice facility in the Gates Field House.

"I am so happy with the way our camps went this year and with the number of campers that we had in attendance," said head coach Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart. "We added some new features this year to both camps to really give each camper a well-rounded experience. I can't thank the camp staff enough for all that they did this past week to make the camp such a success."

Some of the camp features that were introduced to this year's camps included:

• - Campers stayed in suite-style rooms
• - New camp staff members were added
• o Nancy Pudwill, Nutritionist (Fuel to Perform segment)
• o Kathryn Whartenby, Strength and Conditioning Coach
• o Steve Portenga, Sports Psychologist (Building Confidence segment)
• o Huneth Lor, Camp Dorm Director
• - A brand-new Trench Bar Area was added to the DU practice facility
• - A video rotation that allowed the campers to see the latest NCAA Championship routines from the final rotation on every event as well as past DU event routines.

Overnight campers who stayed in the dorms took part in goal-setting and journaling exercises with Lor, as well as decorating bags and door hangers.

"We had a great response to some of the new features that we added this year and I'm really excited to see all of our campers back again for camp reunion night during the season," Kutcher-Rinehart said. "Nancy did a great segment on nutrition called 'Fuel to Perform' to teach the campers how to get the most energy out of the food you eat and Steve, our sports psychologist did a segment called "Building Confidence" to focus on the more mental side of competition. Both of these segments were really well received and ones that we will be incorporating again next year.

Camp reunion night is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 28 when the Pioneers host Air Force and Centenary College in Hamilton Gymnasium at 6 p.m.

The Pioneers' schedule will be announced in the coming weeks.

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