DENVER – The No. 6-ranked University of Denver women's gymnastics team recorded the second-highest score in program history on Saturday, earning a 197.625 in front of a sold-out crowd in Hamilton Gymnasium.
 
Sophomore Lynnzee Brown (Kansas City, Mo.) tied the program record in the all-around to help lead the Pioneers' effort, matching Nina McGee's 39.775 from February 27, 2016.
 
"It was a fantastic performance from Lynnzee tonight," head coach Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart said. "I know no one would be prouder than Nina herself. However, it was a complete team effort, and our goal is to keep getting stronger with each and every meet.
 
"We're not concerned with scores or rankings or RQS. We're exactly where we want to be."
 
The Pioneers began the evening on vault with a season-best 49.325 overall. Brown captured the event title after tying her career high with a 9.925. Junior Maddie Karr (Stillwater, Minn.) finished second with a 9.900, and sophomore Mia Sundstrom (Boulder, Colo.) completed Denver's podium sweep with a 9.850. DU's final two counted scores were matching 9.825s from seniors Kaitlyn Schou (Orlando, Fla.) and Diana Chesnok (Charlotte, N.C.).
 
Brown's new career high on bars, a near-perfect 9.975, helped lead Denver to a 49.400, which ties the fifth-highest score in program history. Sophomore Emily Glynn (Longmont, Colo.) tied her season best with a 9.900 to finish second overall with Karr right behind her with a 9.875. All six of DU's bars scores were at or above the 9.800 mark with a 9.850 from freshman Alexandria Ruiz (Lake Mary, Fla.) and 9.800s from senior Claire Kern (Charlotte, N.C.) and Sundstrom.
 
For the second meet in a row, DU tied the second-best beam score in school history, earning a 49.475 as a team. Freshman Alexis Vasquez (Arcadia, Calif.) and Karr shared the title with matching 9.925s. Brown set a new career best with a 9.900 to finish third. Schou added a 9.875 while Ruiz set a new personal best with a 9.850.
 
Denver ended the evening on floor with a team score of 49.425, which matches the season's best score overall. Brown scored her second near-perfect 9.975 to close out the meet and to win the event title. Karr was a second with a 9.900, and Ruiz placed third with a 9.875. Schou and Sundstrom rounded out DU's counted scores with a 9.850 and a 9.825, respectively.
 
Brown helped lead DU's sweep in the all-around with her record-tying 39.775. Karr finished second with a 39.600, and Ruiz was third with a 39.325.
 
 
Of her career night in the all-around, Brown said, "I'm feeling confident because I'm doing in competition what I've been practicing. And it's good to keep that consistency in pressure situations."
 
When reflecting on the meet overall, the sophomore added, "I'll just remember the environment. The team is finding that we're most successfully when we're together and supporting each other."
 
The University of Denver women's gymnastics team, presented by Your Hometown Toyota Stores, wraps up its three-meet home stand next Sunday, February 24, against No. 10 Boise State and No. 23 Iowa State at 2 p.m. in Magness Arena. The meet will serve as DU's annual pink meet in honor of breast cancer awareness.
 
Single meet tickets are on sale, starting at $9. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling the Ritchie Center Box Office at 303-871-4625.
 
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