DENVER – The No. 14-ranked University of Denver women's gymnastics team hit all of its routines on Sunday despite competing five-up, five-count on three events to finish regular-season competition for the year.
 
DU finished with a 196.800 – fewer than two tenths out of first place in a quad meet against No. 18 Arkansas (196.975), No. 12 Oregon State (196.875) and Nebraska (195.750).
 
COACH'S NOTES
From head coach Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart: "Tonight was a win all the way around. I'm so incredibly proud of this team. Their backs were up against the wall and instead of feeling the pressure of the situation, everyone embraced it and did their jobs.
 
"This is one tough team. For us to stay in it today against three very talented teams with all of the obstacles and adversity we've faced takes grit and fight and resiliency and determination. It demonstrates the legacy of Denver Gymnastics, and I'm so glad our alumni were here to see it."
  
SIGNIFICANT STATS

• Denver competed five-up, five-count on three events (vault, bars and floor) and hit all 21 routines.
• Sophomore Rylie Mundell won a share of the vault title with a career-best 9.950, leading her to another personal best in the all-around (39.525).
• DU's 49.400 on beam became the team's third highest score on the event of the season with five counted scores at or above 9.850.
• Freshman Momoko Iwai tied her career high of 9.875 on beam.
• For the sixth meet in a row, sophomore Jessica Hutchinson led Denver in the all-around with a 39.550.

VAULT RECAP
Denver opened up the day with a 49.075 with only five vaulters, led by Mundell's first place-tying 9.950. Hutchinson was just off her career high pace with a 9.875, and senior Alexandria Ruiz added a 9.775. Iwai led off the rotation with a 9.750, and sophomore Rosie Casali contributed a 9.725.
 
BARS RECAP
DU also competed five-up, five-count on bars and finished with a 49.175 with four scores of at least 9.800. Casali and Hutchinson each had matching 9.875 to lead Denver's lineup while Mundell anchored the rotation with a 9.850. Ruiz posted a 9.800 in DU's first routine, and freshman Mia Hebinck posted a 9.775.
 
BEAM RECAP
Denver's top rotation of the meet came on beam with its 49.400. All five of the team's counted scores were at or above 9.850, beginning with junior Emma Brown's 9.850. Sophomore Bella Mabanta and Iwai each scored a 9.875 in back-to-back routines to build momentum, leading to 9.900s from Hutchinson and Mundell to finish the rotation.
 
FLOOR RECAP
Once again with only five student-athletes in the lineup, Denver's floor workers stepped up and posted a 49.150. Hutchinson again led the way for DU with a 9.900. Three Denver gymnasts – Iwai, Emma Brown and Mundell – tallied 9.825s while Mabanta had the team fifth and final score with a 9.775.
 
PODIUM FINISHES
All-Around
Hutchinson: Second Place – 39.550
Mundell: Third Place – 39.525
 
Vault
Mundell: First Place (tie) – 9.950
 
Bars
Casali: Second Place (tie) – 9.875
Hutchinson: Second Place (tie) – 9.875
 
Beam
Hutchinson: Third Place (tie) – 9.900
Mundell: Third Place (tie) – 9.900
 
Floor
Hutchinson: Second Place (tie) – 9.900
 
MORE COACH'S NOTES:
"I'm so proud of our three fifth-year seniors (Lynnzee Brown, Emily Glynn and Mia Sundstrom). They've had outstanding careers and along with Alexandria, they have contributed their hearts and souls to this program. They've had unbelievable success with our first-ever NCAA Finals appearance and our first Big 12 Conference Championship, but their legacy will be long lasting for their exceptional teamwork, character and excellence."
 
About the last-minute move to Magness Arena on Saturday night: "I want to give a big 'thank you' to the athletic department and administration for converting Magness to gymnastics on such short notice after the postseason hockey tournament. It was a great afternoon with a lot of excitement, and I'm thankful for all of our fans and supporters who came out and brought the energy."
 
NEXT UP:
Denver hosts the 2022 Big 12 Gymnastics Championship on Saturday, March 19, at 5 p.m. MT. Joining defending Big 12 Champion Denver will be Oklahoma, Iowa State and West Virginia, and the meet will be televised live on ESPNU.
 
TICKETS
Tickets for the 2022 Big 12 Gymnastics Championship are now on sale and can be purchased online or by calling 303-871-4625.
 
SHOP PIONEERS
Get dressed for game day! Get your Pioneers gear at ShopPioneers.com, the official online store of University of Denver Athletics.
 
DONATE 
Fans interested in making a donation to the gymnastics program can do so online. Your contribution will make a direct impact on the success of YOUR Pioneers. Thank you in advance for your unwavering support of our student-athletes and their quest for excellence.
 
- OUR JOURNEY, OUR TIME –
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