DENVER – For the first time in program history, the University of Denver gymnastics team moved into the top five in the nation, holding the No. 5 spot in this week's Road to Nationals rankings, which were released on Monday.
 
The Pioneers improved their National Qualifying Score (NQS) to 197.365 following Sunday's 197.675 performance against then-ranked No. 18 Nebraska, No. 21 Arizona State and Pittsburgh in the team's final home meet of the year.
 
NQS, previously known as Regional Qualifying Score (RQS), is calculated with the six highest scores of the season, at least three of which must be from away meets. The high score is dropped, and the remaining five scores are averaged.
 
DENVER'S NQS
197.775 – Away
197.725 – Home
197.675 – Home
197.625 – Home
197.450 – Away
196.350 – Away
NQS: 197.365
 
Prior to this week's rankings, the highest Denver had been ranked was No. 6 in the nation, achieved over the last four weeks this season, as well as once each in the 2003 and 2010 seasons.
 
DU is once again ranked in the top five on both bars and beam, sitting at No. 4 on bars (49.400) – also a program record – and No. 5 on beam (49.375). The team is also ranked No. 7 on vault (49.280) and No. 8 on floor (49.335).
 
Junior Maddie Karr (Stillwater, Minn.) is ranked in the top 10 in the all-around and on three events this week, starting with a tie for No. 5 in the all-around (39.615). She is also No. 5 in the nation on vault (9.930), tied for No. 7 on bars (9.930) and tied for No. 9 on beam (9.915).
 
Sophomore Lynnzee Brown (Kansas City, Mo.) continues to hold the No. 9 ranking in the all-around (39.555). For the first time in her career, she is ranked in the top five on floor, tying for the No. 5 spot (9.940) this week. On vault, she is tied for No. 10 (9.905), and she is tied for No. 19 on bars (9.900).
 
Freshman Alexis Vasquez (Arcadia, Calif.) is once again tied for No. 4 on beam (9.935), matching the highest NQS beam ranking in DU history, which she set last week.
 
Sophomore Emily Glynn (Longmont, Colo.) is again ranked on bars, joining Brown in a tie for No. 19 (9.900).
 
Senior Kaitlyn Schou (Orlando, Fla.), too, is nationally-ranked for the second week in a row, tying for No. 24 on beam (9.880).
 
The University of Denver gymnastics team, presented by Your Hometown Toyota Stores, concludes its regular season with a trip to Big 12 Conference opponent Iowa State on Friday, March 15.
 
- PIONEER TOGETHER –
Visit DenverPioneers.com for complete coverage of all 17 of DU's NCAA Division I sports.
Like Denver Pioneers and Denver Gymnastics on Facebook.
Follow @DU_Pioneers and @DU_Gymnastics on Twitter.
Follow @DenverPioneers and @DU_Gymnastics on Instagram.