DENVER – The No. 7-ranked University of Denver women's gymnastics team tallied a 197.000 to topple Air Force (192.225) in DU's home opener on Sunday.
 
It is the earliest that Denver has earned a team score of 197+, coming in just the second meet of the year. The previous record was in the third meet of the 2020 season.
 
COACH'S NOTES:
From head coach Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart: "I'm pleased with the forward progress we showed today; however, it's a good thing that there is still room for improvement. There's a lot of positive competition for lineup spots, and adding that depth to our team will continue to improve our performances. It comes down to tremendous team character and leadership."

SIGNIFICANT STATS

• Freshman Rylie Mundell (Parker, Colo.) had a standout performance that included a near-perfect 9.975 on bars. It is the first time a DU freshman has earned such a score on bars and on any event since Moriah Martin on vault in 2011.
• Mundell and fellow freshman Jessica Hutchinson (Gilbertsville, Pa.) collected the first titles of their careers: Mundell on vault and bars, and Hutchinson on floor.
• Denver's 49.450 on beam ties the ninth-highest overall score in program history.
• The bars squad posted a 49.425, which is the fifth-highest mark at a home meet in school history.
• DU improved its team scores on vault, bars and beam from the season opener at Iowa State.

VAULT RECAP
DU opened the meet on vault, posting a 49.025. Freshman Mundell highlighted the rotation with a 9.925 to win the title. DU had the top three overall scores with a 9.825 from senior Lynnzee Brown (Kansas City, Mo.) and a 9.800 from senior Mia Sundstrom (Boulder, Colo.). Hutchinson improved over her debut with a 9.775, and junior Alexandria Ruiz (Lake Mary, Fla.) had the team's final counted score.
 
BARS RECAP
Mundell continued to build momentum after vault, scoring a near-perfect 9.975 on bars. In the leadoff position, Ruiz scored a career high-tying 9.900 while Brown rounded out the podium sweep for DU with a 9.875. All six scores went above 9.800 with a 9.850 from Hutchinson and 9.825s from freshman Rosie Casali (Weddington, N.C.) and senior Emily Glynn (Longmont, Colo.)
 
BEAM RECAP
For the second time in the competition, a DU gymnast logged a near-perfect 9.975, this time from junior Alexis Vasquez (Arcadia, Calif.). Mundell's stellar home debut continued with a 9.925, the team's second-highest score. Brown and freshman Abbie Thompson (Sanford, Fla.) each earned a 9.875 to tie for third overall. Hutchinson had the final counted score with a 9.800.
 
FLOOR RECAP
Hutchinson's 9.875 led DU's 49.100 team performance with Thompson and Brown completing the DU podium sweep with a 9.850 and 9.825, respectively. Ruiz scored a 9.800 in the leadoff spot, and Casali added a 9.750 – an improvement over her collegiate debut score. Vasquez also made her first career appearance in the floor lineup.
 
PODIUM FINISHES
All-Around
Brown: First Place – 39.400
Hutchinson: Second Place – 39.300
Ruiz: Third Place – 39.175
 
Vault
Mundell: First Place – 9.925
Brown: Second Place – 9.825
Sundstrom: Third Place – 9.800
 
Bars
Mundell: First Place – 9.975
Ruiz: Second Place – 9.900
Brown: Third Place – 9.875
 
Beam
Vasquez: First Place – 9.975
Mundell: Second Place – 9.925
Brown: Third Place (tie) – 9.875
Thompson: Third Place (tie) – 9.875
 
Floor
Hutchinson: First Place – 9.875
Thompson: Second Place (tie) – 9.850
Brown: Third Place – 9.825
 
NEXT UP:
The University of Denver gymnastics team, presented by Your Front Range Toyota Stores, Big 12 Conference opponent Iowa State on Sunday, January 31, at 12:00 p.m. MT in Magness Arena.
 
VIRTUAL SEASON TICKET: Activate exclusive virtual benefits for the 2021 season! Denver Athletics & Recreation is committed to making the best out of an unprecedented situation and, if we are not able to be together in person at the Ritchie Center, then we will do our very best to bring Denver Gymnastics to you! When you opt-in to be a Virtual Season Ticket Holder you gain access to exclusive season-long benefits including:

• 5280 TOGETHER limited-edition commemorative poster
• Access to individual home meet tickets (based upon availability and guidelines set forth by the NCAA, DU, and local and state health officials)
• Exclusive invitation to the weekly coaches "chalk talk" (virtual)
• Virtual meet notes/program for home and away meets
• Post-meet recap and downloadable stats package

For the latest University of Denver updates on the coronavirus, click here.
 
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