DENVER – The University of Denver gymnastics team took its next step toward the 2024 regular season with its Crimson & Gold Intrasquad in Magness Arena on Sunday.
 
Denver showed at least six student-athletes on all four events while adding at least one exhibition performance on each vault, bars and beam.
 
COACH'S NOTES:
"I feel like this is a great starting point, and there's a lot to build off of from here," Joy S. Burns Head Women's Gymnastics Coach Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart said. "We showed growth from our last intrasquad in practice to tonight. We left some people out of the competition, which gave others opportunities to get competition experience early in the season; and we're looking forward to welcoming athletes back into the lineup as the season gets going."
 
MEET RECAP:
DU opened the night on vault, capping the lineup with three 10.0 start values including the first look at a front handspring front pike half from freshmen Madison Ulrich. Seniors Rosie Casali and Jessica Hutchinson both competed their Yurchenko 1.5s with Hutchinson sticking hers for a 9.925. Freshman Maddison Reidenbach led off the lineup with a Yurchenko full, which fellow freshman Amanda Hargraves also performed in the exhibition slot.
 
Eight Denver gymnasts competed on bars, starting with junior Momoko Iwai in the leadoff spot. All-Americans Casali and sophomore Kiley Rorich hit their routines, as did Ulrich in her first bars appearance in Magness Arena. Hutchinson had the night's top score with a 9.900. Junior Mia Hebinck competed in exhibition to mark her return to competition after missing the 2023 season with an injury.
 
As she did on bars, Iwai led off on beam. Including in exhibition, four Denver gymnasts made their Magness Arena debuts on the event in freshmen Ulrich, Reidenbach and Amanda Hargraves, as well as Casali who made her first career exhibition appearance on the road in 2023.
 
Ulrich highlighted DU's floor rotation with a 9.900. Joining her in competing on the event for the first time were Reidenbach as well as Rorich, who only competed bars for Denver last season. Senior Bella Mabanta hit her floor set but lightly stepped out of bounds on her final pass while fellow senior Rylie Mundell was originally slated to compete in exhibition but stepped into the lineup for Casali, who was rested at the last minute. Fans also got a first look at Hutchinson's 2024 floor routine as well.
 
MORE COACH'S NOTES:
"It was fun being back out in Magness," Kutcher-Rinehart said. "The crowd had great energy, and we appreciate our fans coming out to support us midweek just before the holidays. We're excited to be back here January 14."
 
"This is a super strong team that has a lot of athletic ability and talent, and I'm looking forward to them reaching their potential this season."
 
NEXT UP:
No. 10 Denver will resume training after the holiday break in anticipation of the 2024 season opener the first weekend in January. DU will host its home opener against Arizona State on Sunday, January 14, at 1:45 p.m. MT.
 
TICKETS:
Tickets for the 2024 University of Denver gymnastics season are now on sale and can be purchased online, by calling 303-871-4625 or by visiting the Ritchie Center Box Office.
 
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