FORT WORTH, Texas – The No. 7-ranked University of Denver women's gymnastics team scored its highest mark of the season on Saturday, a 196.350, in a matchup of four top-25 teams at the Metroplex Challenge.
 
The two Big 12 Conference teams came out on top with No. 1 Oklahoma in first (197.975) and seventh-ranked Denver in second. SEC opponents No. 15 Missouri (196.200) and No. 21 Arkansas (195.825) finished third and fourth, respectively.
 
"Tonight wasn't perfect," head coach Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart said. "There are a lot of places we know we can improve. But tonight shows the potential of this team to be away from home and score above a 196 with mistakes.
 
"We're not focusing on wins or scores. We're focusing on continued growth and development."
 
The Pioneers opened the meet on floor with a 48.925, led by a 9.875 from senior Kaitlyn Schou (Orlando, Fla.), which was just .025 off of her career best. Freshman Alexandria Ruiz (Lake Mary, Fla.) added a 9.800, and two DU gymnasts earned 9.775s: sophomore Lynnzee Brown (Kansas City, Mo.) and junior Maddie Karr (Stillwater, Minn.). Senior Claire Kern (Charlotte, N.C.) scored a 9.700 for the team's final counted score.
 
Denver followed with its strongest vault rotation so far in 2019, posting a 49.250 with two 9.900s from Karr and Brown. They would go on to finish tied for second overall. Sophomore Mia Sundstrom (Boulder, Colo.) earned a new career high with her 9.875 to have DU's third-highest score. Senior Diana Chesnok (Charlotte, N.C.) added a 9.800 while Ruiz and Schou both tallied 9.775s.
 
In the third rotation, DU moved to bars and tallied a team score of 49.225. All five of Denver's counted scores earned at least a 9.800, highlighted by a 9.950 from Karr that won the event title. Sophomore Emily Glynn (Longmont, Colo.) counted a 9.850, and Brown had a 9.825. Both Kern and Ruiz scored 9.800s.
 
DU finished the evening on beam with a 48.950. Freshman Alexis Vasquez (Arcadia, Calif.) tied the fifth-best mark is program history with her 9.950 to finish second overall on the event. In the first beam routine of her collegiate career, Ruiz scored a 9.825. Brown had a 9.800, Sundstrom a 9.700 and Schou a 9.675 to round out the Pioneers' team score.
 
In the all-around, Brown finished third overall with a 39.300. Ruiz, who competed in the all-around for the first time as a Pioneer, had DU's next-highest score with a 39.200.
 
The University of Denver women's gymnastics team, presented by Your Hometown Toyota Stores, will compete on the road again next week, traveling to Morgantown, W.Va., for an all-Big 12 matchup with West Virginia and Iowa State on Saturday, February 2.
 
DU returns to Denver on Sunday, February 10, at 2 p.m. in Magness Arena where the team will again compete against No. 1 Oklahoma.
 
Single meet tickets are on sale for DU's remaining four home meets, starting at $9. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling the Ritchie Center Box Office at 303-871-4625.
 
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