University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Denver
Gophers Drop Road Meet to No. 11 Denver
2/18/2017 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
The University of Minnesota fell to No. 11 Denver with a final score of 197.150 to 196.075 on Saturday night at Hamilton Gymnasium in Denver, Colo. The Gophers' 196.075 is the second-highest team score of the season, and highest on the road.
"I am really proud of the team tonight," head coach Jenny Hansen said. "Our goal coming in was to hit 24-for-24 routines, and we did that for the first time this season."
By event, Minnesota scored a 49.050 on uneven bars, 49.000 on vault, 49.050 on floor and 48.975 on beam.
Bailie Holst tied for gold on uneven bars with two Pioneers after scoring a 9.875. Freshman Ivy Lu placed fifth with a 9.825, and teammates Rachel Rowland and Hannah Hitchcock tied for sixth with scores of 9.800.
Senior Bailey Abernathy shared silver on vault with a score of 9.850. Rookie Paige Williams, along with Holst finished fifth with each scoring a 9.825.
During vault, Abby DeMuse suffered an injury that took her out of the rest of the meet. Sophomore Rachel Cutler stepped up for DeMuse in both Minnesota's floor and beam lineups.
Abernathy again led the Gophers on floor with a 9.850 to tie for third place. Ciara Gardner finished fifth with a 9.825. Holst and WIlliams tied again, this time with scores of 9.800 to share seventh place.
Minnesota wrapped the meet on beam as senior Kaitlin Rahon tallied a personal record of 9.900 to share silver. Gardner and Holst each scored a 9.850 to place fifth.
Holst placed second in the all-around competition with a score of 39.350. Gardner picked up bronze with a 39.175.
"We need to take this performance and keep building confidence as we get into the last half of the season," Hansen said.
Next Up
The Golden Gophers will return to the Sports Pavilion to host the annual Best of Minnesota meet with Winona, Gustavus and Hamline on Sunday, Feb. 28. The first rotation will begin at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are available at mygophersports.com.
