DENVER – The No. 18 University of Denver gymnastics squad opened up the 2014 season posting a 195.200 to top No. 22 California in Hamilton Gymnasium. Denver earned its highest score in a season opener since 2010, when they beat Minnesota 195.575-193.375. Cal (3-2, 0-1 Pac-12) finished the meet with a 193.225.
“I thought they did a nice job,” head coach Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart said. “I think we have a lot of room for improvement, but overall very pleased. If the season opener was a 195 with those mistakes, I think we’re looking at a successful season.”
The Pioneers began the season with a 48.925 on vault, led by a pair of seniors, who have anchored the vault line-up the past two years. Moriah Martin (Lake Mary, Fla.), the individual vault champion and 2013 All-American, inked a 9.875, while classmate Kaitlin Moorhead (Palo Alto, Calif.), a 2013 First Team All-WAC selection, received a 9.850. This is the 15th consecutive vault that Moorhead has received a 9.800 or higher and the 11th for Martin. Sophomore Emily Barrett (Norman, Okla.) turned in a 9.775 and senior Melodie Pulgarin Linero (Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain) posted a 9.750 for Denver.
Martin led Denver on bars, posting a 9.850, with junior Nina McGee (Cincinnati, Ohio) earning a 9.825. Pulgarin Linero and sophomore Rachel Feeken (Tampa, Fla.) added 9.675’s to the Pioneers total score of 48.525. Cal’s Alicia Asturias went on to win the bars title with a 9.875. After the second rotation, Denver led by .125 with a total score of 97.450.
Earning a 9.800, McGee anchored the beam line-up, followed by a duet of freshman Julia Ross (Henderson, Nev.) and Leah Lomonte (Katy, Texas) who inked matching 9.775’s. This group earned the top three spots on beam, with Pugarin Linero rounding out the top four, posting a 9.750. The team brought in a 48.800 total, while Cal inked a 47.900.
Ending the evening on floor, Denver tallied a 48.980. McGee, who earned a 9.925, was the individual floor champion of the night. This is McGee’s ninth floor title in her career. The Pioneers swept the podium on floor, with senior Jorie Hall (Denver, Colo.) earning a 9.880 and junior Ellese Sakai-Hart (Aptos, Calif.) a 9.775.
“Both of (the freshmen) did a great job. You could tell it was their first collegiate competition, getting those nerves out, but overall they have such great character and work ethics that showed tonight. I’m really proud of this team as a whole. They’ve put in a ton of work and it’s nice to see it pay off.”
The Pioneers will travel to Boise State to take on the Broncos next Friday, Jan. 17 at 6 p.m.
All tickets can be purchased by calling (303) 871-4625, in person at the Ritchie Center Box Office or online at DenverPioneers.com.
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