PROVO, Utah - The University of Denver women's gymnastics squad topped BYU 193.750-191.850 on Friday evening at the George Albert Smith Fieldhouse. Sophomore Melodie Pulgarin Linero (Barcelona, Spain) won the All-Around competition, tallying a 39.075.
"It wasn't our best meet from a team score perspective, but wins on the road are always nice," head coach Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart said. "There were a lot of individual highlights, as we were able to win three events and the All-Around, but we have some things to work on in the gym this week before we head to Ohio State next Saturday."
Denver, who opened the meet on Bars, was led by sophomore Emily Warfield's (Lafayette, Colo.) 9.825 in the first rotation. Warfield won the event and tied her career-high that she set during her freshman year at Arizona State. After missing last weekend's meet due to a back injury, Pulgarin Linero opened her meet with a 9.775 on Bars. The Crimson and Gold fell behind 48.800-48.600 after the first rotation.
Reigning Verizon Western Athletic Conference Event Specialist of the Week, Moriah Martin (Lake Mary, Fla.) turned in another high-scoring Vault performance in the anchor position for the Pioneers, scoring a 9.900. Martin won the event by 0.075. Pulgarin Linero turned in a 9.825 to finish in a tie for second in the event. The Pioneers took a 0.100 lead into the third rotation, scoring a 48.975 on Vault to erase the first-rotation deficit.
The Pioneers got a pair of 9.825 scores in the third rotation from sophomore Jorie Hall (Denver, Colo.) and senior Louise Mercer (Nottingham, England). The duo shared the Floor title. Pulgarin Linero added a 9.775, but Denver scored a season-low 48.650 on Floor. DU took a 146.225-144.800 lead into the final rotation.
On a night where both teams had trouble staying on the beam, Denver scored just a 47.525 in the fourth rotation. DU was led by a pair of 9.700 performances from junior Simona Castro (Santiago, Chile) and Pulgarin Linero. The Cougars' Raquel Willman and Krysten Koval shared the Beam title with scores of 9.725.
Denver will head to Columbus, Ohio next weekend to visit No. 11 Ohio State on Saturday at 2 p.m. MT.
Individual and season tickets are on sale for the 2012 season. For information, please visit www.DenverPioneers.com or call the Ritchie Center Box Office at (303) 871-2336.
