TUCSON, Ariz. - The No. 18 University of Denver women's gymnastics team recorded a rare tie against No. 17 Arizona, both teams finishing with a 196.850. The team total is DU's highest road score of the season and second highest overall.

Senior Nina McGee (Cincinnati, Ohio) won her seventh all-around title of the season with a 39.550. She also won the floor title with a 9.950. Sophomore Julia Ross (Henderson, Nev.) won the vault title, leading the Pioneers to an event sweep.

"I thought it was a very balanced performance," said head coach Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart. "We hit 24 out of 24 routines, and it was a complete team effort."

Denver started the meet on bars, recording a 49.025. Junior Katie Menhinick (Paramus, N.J.) began with a 9.775, which junior Emily Barrett (Norman, Okla.) matched later in the rotation. Freshman Nikole Addison (Lehigh Acres, Fla.) scored 9.725, while Ross added a 9.850. Junior Rachel Feeken (Tampa, Fla.) totaled 9.700, and McGee scored DU's highest on the event with a 9.900, finishing second on the event.

The Pioneers rotated to vault next, posting a 49.350 team total with all scores at or above a 9.825, first from Menhinick. Junior Maggie Laughlin (Scottsdale, Ariz.) and sophomore Rachel Fielitz (Walden, N.Y.) each scored 9.850. Barrett and McGee also finished with matching scores of 9.875. Ross added a 9.900 to lead both teams in the final standings.

DU added its highest event total of the night on floor with a 49.375. McGee, who is currently tied for No. 1 in the nation on the event, tallied a 9.950 to win the floor title. Senior Ellese Sakai-Hart (Aptos, Calif.) started the rotation for DU with a 9.850, later matched by Addison. Barrett added a 9.800 in her fourth floor appearance this season, and Fielitz followed it with a 9.825. Laughlin added a 9.900, tying her for second on the night.

To finish the meet, Denver headed to beam and scored a 49.100. Menhinick competed first for DU with a 9.800, which was followed by a 9.675 from Fielitz. Sakai-Hart also scored 9.800, as sophomore Leah Lomonte (Katy, Texas) and McGee each added 9.825. Ross added the highest score for the Pioneers, a 9.850, which tied her for third overall.

"We continue to hit our stride, and I believe we're peaking at the right time," said Kutcher-Rinehart. "I was really impressed with the mental toughness heading into beam, the last event, and hitting six for six routines to tie the meet."

"I'm also extremely proud of the mental toughness of this team; we had athletes taking finals on the road this morning."

Denver hosts its final meet of the season when the 2015 Mountain Rim Gymnastics Conference Championships come to Magness Arena on March 21 at 6 p.m., where DU will look to defend its title from 2014. Tickets are still available for $9. For ticket information, visitdenverpioneers.com/ticketsor call the Ritchie Center Box Office at 303-871-2336.

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