DENVER – The University of Denver gymnastics team took another step in its preseason preparation with the annual Crimson & Gold Intrasquad in Magness Arena on Sunday afternoon.
 
In total, Denver gymnasts combined for 33 competition-ready routines across the four events. For half of the roster, it was their first time competing in Magness Arena.
 
"I'm proud of how everyone stepped up, especially with so many new individuals to the team," Joy S. Burns Head Women's Gymnastics Coach Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart said. "They were strong and aggressive, and demonstrated some consistency that we can build off of. Today gave us some good data for where we want to move our lineups forward, and I'm looking forward to seeing the specific stages of success as we continue to progress toward the start of the season.
 
"Coming off an intensive preseason, I feel like they capitalized on opportunities as we lead into the holidays. I'm pleased with how they stayed in their own bubble and kept the energy up. Now it's time to focus on the details and continue to get people ready – those who did and didn't compete today. I want them to collectively stay focused on the process, emphasize the small victories and continue to build off the momentum."
 
Denver filled a lineup of six competitors on all four events while adding multiple exhibitions on bars, beam and floor. Combined, 13 of Denver's 14 gymnasts competed at least one full routine, and all 14 showed at least partial routines during the day while strategically pacing themselves ahead of the season.
 
Four DU gymnasts competed in the all-around with senior Cecilia Cooley tallying a 39.450 in her first such appearance after competing on vault for the first time in her collegiate career. Freshman Shyla Bhatia was just a tenth off Cooley's pace in her first appearance in Magness Arena. Junior Maddison Reidenbach and senior Mila Brusch also competed on all four events in the same competition for the first time with Brusch making her long-worked-for appearance on bars.
 
On vault, Bhatia's Yurchenko 1.5 with a step scored a 9.850, matching Brusch's score for a Yurchenko full with a hop for the top scores of the day on the event.
 
Cooley's 9.925 on bars equaled the highest score for any gymnast on any event in the meet and led DU's nine bars workers on Sunday. Bhatia and senior Kiley Rorich each added 9.850s to round out the top three for Denver.
 
Ten DU gymnasts showed full beam routines on the day with Cooley again notching the top score, a 9.900. Freshman Terra Rutter stepped into the lead off spot while fellow freshman Sevana Kasparian subbed into the anchor spot after warm ups. Both hit their routines.
 
Reidenbach finished atop the floor standings with a 9.925 with Bhatia's 9.875 and Cooley's 9.850 finishing out the top three.
 
Among Denver's returning gymnasts from last season's roster, five competed routines on at least one event that they have not yet competed on in a full lineup in their careers including juniors Amanda Hargraves (beam, floor) and Ashley Gallen (floor). Sophomore Sophia Hampp, who made multiple vault and beam exhibition appearances in 2025, competed on bars and beam on Sunday.

Of the seven newcomers, five showed at least one competition-ready routine: Bhatia (all-around), Addie Hewitt (bars), Kasparian (vault, bars, beam), Kaitlynd Kastl (bars, beam) and Rutter (vault, beam).

Multiple gymnasts – returners and newcomers – showed partial routines on Sunday and are also continuing to progress toward competition-ready routines while strategically pacing themselves ahead of the season. Among them are freshmen Megan Aamold, who showed a partial beam routine in warm ups, and Abby Steeley, who showed a bars routine without a dismount.
 
After the meet, Kutcher-Rinehart singled out the DU fans in attendance. "I appreciate all of the fans coming out today," she said. "They brought high energy to the arena, and I'm excited for to them to get to know all of the new faces on our team."
 
Denver will resume preseason training in late December following the holiday break before opening its 2026 campaign when it hosts Stanford on Sunday, January 11, at 1:45 p.m. MT in Magness Arena.
 
TICKETS:
Tickets for the 2026 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.