DENVER – The No. 17 University of Denver gymnastics squad posted a 196.050, its second highest score of the season in front of a sold out crowd in Hamilton Gymnasium. The stands were packed with pink as the Pioneers supported breast cancer and Porter Hospital in its annual Burnsley Invitational/Pink Night. Southern Utah finished in second with 195.700 and North Carolina State ended with a 194.300.
Senior Moriah Martin (Lake Mary, Fla.) earned a 39.450 in the all-around, leading all competitors, followed by junior Nina McGee (Cincinnati, Ohio) who inked a 39.375. Martin posted a 9.925 on bars, a personal-best, to cap off her all-around performance. Brittni Watkins of North Carolina State finished third respectively with a 39.350.
The Pioneers started off the Burnsley Invitational on vault, posting a team score of 49.100, a season-high for the team. Martin led Denver with a 9.900 to eventually win the individual event title. McGee posted a career-high 9.850, while senior Kaitlin Moorhead (Palo Alto, Calif.) earned a 9.825, her third vault over 9.800 of the season. Sophomore Maggie Laughlin (Scottsdale, Ariz.) earned a personal-best 9.775 and classmate Emily Barrett (Norman, Okla.) added a 9.750. Southern Utah’s Danielle Ramirez found a spot on the podium, finishing second with a 9.875.
Denver’s bar line-up swept the podium and led all teams with a 49.175. Martin’s career-high 9.925 was followed up by McGee, who earned a 9.875. Senior Melodie Pulgarin Linero (Barcelona, Catlunya, Spain) added a 9.850 to finish third and freshman Leah Lomonte (Katy, Texas) earned a personal-high of 9.800. Sophomore Rachel Feeken (Tampa, Fla.) rounded out the team score with a 9.725.
Entering the third rotation, Denver led both teams by just over one point with 98.275 points. Three Pioneers, Martin, McGee and freshman Julia Ross (Henderson, Nev.) earned 9.775’s, which tied two other competitors for third place on beam. Lomonte and senior Jorie Hall (Denver, Colo.) added a pair of 9.650’s to Denver’s total of 48.625.
To end the evening, the Pioneers earned a season-high 49.150 on floor. McGee led Denver with a 9.875, her fourth score of 9.875 or higher this season. Martin and Moorhead posted matching 9.850’s and Laughlin tied her career-high of 9.825 to add to the Pioneer’s team score.
“Even though we were not 100 percent tonight due to come student-athletes being out with illness, I’m so proud of the character and tenacity of this team to pull through and compete at the highest level,” head coach Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart said.
The Pioneers travel to Cedar City, Utah Friday, Feb. 14 when they will take on Southern Utah at 7 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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