BOISE, Idaho – The No. 14 University of Denver gymnastics squad topped No. 23 Brigham Young, but fell short to No. 11 Boise State in its first road meet of the season in Boise, Idaho. The Pioneers tallied a 194.825, with Boise State finished in first with a score of 195.125 and BYU in third with a 194.675.
“The student-athletes did a good job tonight,” said head coach Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart. “You’re always making some adjustments the first meet on the road. There were some great individual athlete performances and improvements from last week and that’s really what our focus is on right now. We will continue to get stronger each and every meet. We were without several athletes tonight and we will look forward to their return.”
Denver kicked off the night on beam, with senior Moriah Martin (Lake Mary, Fla.) leading the Pioneers with a 9.85. Junior Nina McGee (Cincinnati, Ohio) followed Martin, tallying a 9.775. In her second collegiate meet, freshman Julia Ross (Henderson, Nev.) earned a 9.625, while senior Melodie Pulgarin Linero (Barcelona, Cataluya, Spain) and sophomore Katie Menhinick (Paramus, N.J.) both pulled in 9.600’s for the Pioneers total of 48.500. Martin went on to earn a share of the individual title with BSU’s Ceira Perkins and Kelsey Morris.
Freshman Leah Lomonte (Katy, Texas) received a 9.650 as the Pioneers lead-off on beam; Martin and McGee followed up with a matching 9.650’s. The Pioneers beam rotation was anchored by senior Jorie Hall (Denver, Colo.), receiving a 9.775 and Pulgarin Linero, who earned a 9.750 respectively. BYU’s Megan Bain earned the individual title with a 9.850.
The third rotation was the strongest for Denver, as they earned a 48.975 total on floor. Sophomore Maggie Lauglin (Scottsdale, Ariz.) posted a career-high, 9.825, good enough for third place and senior Kaitlin Moorhead (Palo Alto, Calif.) tallied a 9.800. Junior Ellese Sakai-Hart (Aptos, Calif.) inked a 9.750. McGee, the reigning Mountain Rim Gymnastics Championship specialist of the week, received a 9.875, to earn a share of the event title with Boise State’s Ciera Perkins.
Martin, earning a 9.850, tied for third on vault, with three Boise State gymnasts earning the other top spots. Pulgarin Linero and Ross earned a pair of 9.825’s, and Lomonte inked a 9.700. Moorhead earned a 9.675 to round out the Pioneers total of 48.875.
“We’re not concerned about scores and beating other teams. We’re focused on improving each and every meet.”
The Pioneers return home next Saturday, Jan. 25 to host Air Force bat 6 p.m. in Hamilton Gymnasium. 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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