DENVER - The No. 7-ranked University of Denver women's gymnastics team tied its team season high with a 197.150 on Saturday night to top No. 25 Ohio State for the second time this year. Ohio State finished with a 195.475.

The Pioneers celebrated Senior Night and honored their three seniors Rachel Fielitz (Walden, N.Y.), Leah Lomonte (Katy, Texas) and Julia Ross (Henderson, Nev.) in the final home meet of their careers.

Freshman Maddie Karr (Stillwater, Minn.) and Ross finished 1-2 in the all-around, Karr taking the title with a 39.475 and Ross right behind her with a 39.425.

"It was great to finish our last home meet in front of another large crowd in Magness Arena," head coach Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart. "We continue to focus on one meet at a time and stay in the moment. We're still not quite there depth-wise, but we are continuing to move in that direction. They're showing a tremendous grit, especially coming off three meets in nine days."

Denver began the evening on vault with a final team score of 49.125. Karr took the title with a 9.875, followed by junior Nikole Addison (Fort Myers, Fla.) in second place. Seniors Ross and Fielitz tied for third with 9.825s. Sophomore Kaitlyn Schou (Orlando, Fla.) added 9.750 to complete the Pioneers' counted scores.

DU moved to bars for the second rotation, scoring a 49.325, the team's second best score of the season. Two Pioneers set or tied career highs during the rotation, starting with sophomore Diana Chesnok (Charlotte, N.C.) who tied her personal best with a 9.925 to win the title. Senior Lomonte set a new personal best with a 9.900 to finish second. All of the team's counted scores were above 9.800s, including 9.825s from Karr and Ross, and a 9.850 from sophomore Claire Kern (Charlotte, N.C.).

All of the beam scores that DU counted toward the team total of 49.300 were also 9.800s or higher. Denver swept the beam podium with a first-place finish from Ross' 9.900. Schou and Karr tied for second overall with 9.875s. Freshman Courtney Loper (West Des Moines, Iowa) added a 9.850, and Addison tallied a 9.800.

The Pioneers had their best showing of the year on floor, earning a season-best 49.400. Addison led the way with a title-winning 9.925, followed closely behind by Karr with a 9.900. Ross set a new personal best with a 9.875 to tie for third with teammate Schou. Loper posted a 9.825 to keep all of DU's counted scores above 9.800. For the first time all season, DU had a sixth student-athlete compete on floor when Kern made her first career appearance in the line-up.

"It was a special night for three very special seniors," Kutcher-Rinehart added. "All three exemplify true character, integrity and passion. I couldn't be any more proud of the contributions they've made over their careers and again tonight."

DU concludes its regular season next Friday, March 10, at Boise State before competing at its second Big 12 Championship, hosted in Frisco, Texas, on March 18.

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