2008 Woodie Awards
Gymnastics finish 10th in NCAA tourney
Sophomore Jessica Lopez named to All-American team
Brooks Kirchheimer
Issue date: 5/1/07 Section: Sports
SALT LAKE CITY- There were the smiles from a goal-setting 10th place finish and the tears from the four seniors whose careers sadly came to an end after leading their team to a historic and record-setting season last Thursday at the NCAA Championships.
In the evening session on Thursday at the Hunstman Center on the campus of the University of Utah, the Pioneers finished in fifth place out of six teams with a score of 195.575. The top three teams, Utah, Stanford and UCLA in the session advanced to the super-six along with Georgia, Florida and Nebraska, held on Friday to determine the national champion. Overall DU finished 10th out of the 12 teams that advanced to the NCAA Championship's, which is a Denver school record. Going into the event, the Pioneers were ranked 12th out of the 12 teams and defeated Michigan and Oregon State on Thursday.
"We came here to accomplish two goals, top 10 and not count a fall and we did it, so they should be really proud of themselves," said Head Coach Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart.
Some teams would be disappointed after a 10th place finish, but not the Pioneers who came into the season wanting to finish a top 10 for the first time in program history and they did exactly that.
"I feel satisfied with my job tonight and I feel really happy for the team, because we got 10th and that was our goal," said sophomore Jessica Lopez.
After having a bye in the first round, the Pioneers started the evening off on bars and were led by Lopez who recorded a 9.9, sophomore Nikki Brown, who scored a 9.75, junior Courtney Butler had a 9.75 as the team finished with a score of 48.7 on the event.
Next DU competed on beam, where once again Lopez shined with a 9.9 score and was followed by freshman Ellen McCarthy and senior Heather Huffaker, who both recorded a 9.8 and Brown placed a 9.775 as the team finished with a score of 48.975 on the event.
The Pioneers then had another bye and resumed competition on the floor exercise where Lopez once again led the team, this time with a 9.85. Junior Sasha Sullivan followed close behind with a 9.825 and senior Gretchen Goerlitz had a 9.8. Senior Katie Andrews and McCarthy both recorded a 9.725 as DU finished with a 48.925 on the event.
In the evening session on Thursday at the Hunstman Center on the campus of the University of Utah, the Pioneers finished in fifth place out of six teams with a score of 195.575. The top three teams, Utah, Stanford and UCLA in the session advanced to the super-six along with Georgia, Florida and Nebraska, held on Friday to determine the national champion. Overall DU finished 10th out of the 12 teams that advanced to the NCAA Championship's, which is a Denver school record. Going into the event, the Pioneers were ranked 12th out of the 12 teams and defeated Michigan and Oregon State on Thursday.
"We came here to accomplish two goals, top 10 and not count a fall and we did it, so they should be really proud of themselves," said Head Coach Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart.
Some teams would be disappointed after a 10th place finish, but not the Pioneers who came into the season wanting to finish a top 10 for the first time in program history and they did exactly that.
"I feel satisfied with my job tonight and I feel really happy for the team, because we got 10th and that was our goal," said sophomore Jessica Lopez.
After having a bye in the first round, the Pioneers started the evening off on bars and were led by Lopez who recorded a 9.9, sophomore Nikki Brown, who scored a 9.75, junior Courtney Butler had a 9.75 as the team finished with a score of 48.7 on the event.
Next DU competed on beam, where once again Lopez shined with a 9.9 score and was followed by freshman Ellen McCarthy and senior Heather Huffaker, who both recorded a 9.8 and Brown placed a 9.775 as the team finished with a score of 48.975 on the event.
The Pioneers then had another bye and resumed competition on the floor exercise where Lopez once again led the team, this time with a 9.85. Junior Sasha Sullivan followed close behind with a 9.825 and senior Gretchen Goerlitz had a 9.8. Senior Katie Andrews and McCarthy both recorded a 9.725 as DU finished with a 48.925 on the event.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Aggie Johanson
posted 5/02/07 @ 6:27 PM EST
The girls were so fit! It was a pleasure to watch them and enjoy the 10th place victory! I'm so glad Amanda will be there next year to participate with such a great team and coaches and staff! Go Pioneers!
Orin Johanson
posted 5/03/07 @ 11:10 PM EST
We love the Denver team and are so proud of them and their accomplishments this year. We are happy to be part of the Denver family - GO DENVER
Cassidy
posted 5/04/07 @ 12:15 AM EST
So proud of the team, they did great this year and are definitely going to be at Nationals consecutively if not win the entire meet in a few years!!! Good work girlies!
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