DENVER – The No. 18 University of Denver gymnastics squad posted a 195.825 to top Utah State on the road on Friday evening. Denver earned its second highest bars score of the season, which was led by senior Moriah Martin (Lake Mary, Fla.) who earned a career-high 9.900 on the event.
The Pioneers began the evening with a strong bars performance, bringing in a 49.225. Martin led Denver with a 9.900, while classmate Melodie Pulgarin Linero (Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain) followed, earning a 9.875. Sophomore Rachel Feeken (Tampa, Fla.) earned a 9.850, a career-high, joined by junior Nina McGee (Cincinnati, Ohio) who received a matching 9.850. Freshman Leah Lomonte (Katy, Texas) added a 9.750 to the Pioneers total. Martin went on to win the individual title, with Pulgarin Linero finishing second.
Denver kept up the momentum as they moved on to vault, where they posted a 49.000 as a team. Martin and freshman Rachel Fielitz (Walden, N.Y.) led the way with 9.850’s, earning a share of the event title. Senior Kaitlin Moorhead (Palo Alto, Calif.) and McGee added a pair of 9.775’s and sophomore Emily Barrett (Norman, Okla.) inked a 9.750.
Moorhead led Denver on floor with a 9.825, her fifth score of 9.800 or higher in 2014. McGee followed Moorhead with 9.800. Sophomore Katie Menhinick (Paramus, N.J.) and Martin posted 9.750’s and senior Jorie Hall (Denver, Colo.) added a 9.700 to the Pioneer’s 48.825.
The Pio’s finished the night on beam, earning a team total of 48.825. Hall tied her career-best, posting a 9.925 to lead all gymnasts earning the event title. Pulgarin Linero inked a season-high 9.850, while sophomore Ellese Sakai-Hart (Aptos, Calif.) posted a 9.700.
The Pioneers remain on the road, as they will travel to Michigan State on Friday, Feb. 28.
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