GYM v Georgia (19 JAN 15) - Full Meet

DENVER - The No. 15 University of Denver women's gymnastics team upset the No. 10-ranked University of Georgia in a Monday afternoon meet by a score of 194.850 - 194.300. The meet was held in front of the largest crowd of the season in Magness Arena.

For the third consecutive meet, senior Nina McGee (Cincinnati, Ohio) won the all-around title (39.325), as well as taking home three more event titles: vault title (9.875, tied with Georgia's Ashlyn Broussard), beam (9.825) and floor (9.925).

"I thought this meet showed even more character today than Saturday night against Utah State," head coach Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart said after the meet. "Saturday was our first home meet and the team was more rested, so we expected them to be sharp then. But after going two meets in the same weekend and switching arenas and making line up adjustments, we made some uncharacteristic mistakes today. But we still went out there and showed what DU Gymnastics is about."

Denver began the meet on vault, totaling a 49.050, led by McGee's 9.875. Two other DU gymnasts scored a 9.800 or higher: sophomore Rachel Fielitz (Walden, N.Y.) with a 9.825, and junior Emily Barrett (Norman, Okla.) with a 9.800. The Pioneers also tallied scores of 9.725 from senior Ellese Sakai-Hart (Aptos, Calif.), and 9.775s from junior Maggie Laughlin (Scottsdale, Ariz.) and freshman Nikole Addison (Lehigh Acres, Fla.).

Junior Katie Menhinick (Paramus, N.J.) got the second rotation going on bars with a 9.575. Sophomore Leah Lomonte (Katy, Texas) answered with a 9.625. Sophomore Julia Ross (Henderson, Nev.) and Barrett scored matching 9.775s. Addison (Lehigh Acres, Fla.) tied her season-high on bars with a 9.750, and McGee closed out the rotation with a 9.700.

The Pioneers headed to beam trailing Georgia 98.175 - 97.675 after two rotations, opening up with a 9.025 from Lomonte after a fall. Sakai-Hart and Fielitz posted a 9.775 and a 9.750, respectively, placing them second and third in the final event standings, behind McGee's event-winning 9.825. Laughlin's 9.550 and Ross' 9.400 ensured the team would not count a fall.

"When the first person falls on beam, the team usually tightens up and feels the pressure," Kutcher-Rinehart said about the team's performance on beam. "Did we perform perfectly? No, but they really worked hard to stay on the beam and not count a fall."

DU stormed back on floor after UGA led 146.900 - 145.975 after the third rotation. Sakai-Hart got things started with a 9.800 (finishing third in the final standings), followed by 9.750s from Fielitz and Addison. Ross made her floor debut for the Pioneers with a 9.650. Laughlin struggled on her final tumbling pass, scoring a 9.075, putting the pressure on the final performer for DU: McGee. She answered with a crowd-pleasing 9.925, securing the win for the team.

"Nina was under pressure, and once again she delivered on floor. It's an example of how this team showed character today," said Kutcher-Rinehart.

The Crimson and Gold next travel to California for a quad meet with Arizona State and San Jose State on Sunday, January 25. Their next home meet is against No. 1 Oklahoma, 2014's NCAA co-National Champion, on Thursday, January 29, at 7 p.m. in Hamilton Gymnasium.

Tickets are still available for $9 for each meet. For ticket information, visit denverpioneers.com/tickets or call the Ritchie Center Box Office at 303-871-2336.

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