The University of Denver gymnastics team held its annual Crimson & Gold Intrasquad event at Magness Arena on Sunday, as part of the team’s preseason preparations. The event featured 33 competition-ready routines across four events, with half of the roster experiencing their first competition in Magness Arena.
“I’m proud of how everyone stepped up, especially with so many new individuals to the team,” said Joy S. Burns Head Women’s Gymnastics Coach Melissa Kutcher-Rinehart. “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 for each event while also including several exhibition routines on bars, beam, and floor. Thirteen out of fourteen gymnasts performed at least one full routine; all showed at least partial routines as part of their strategic pacing before the season begins.
Four gymnasts competed in all-around: senior Cecilia Cooley scored 39.450 in her first appearance after debuting on vault; freshman Shyla Bhatia followed closely behind in her Magness Arena debut; junior Maddison Reidenbach and senior Mila Brusch also completed all four events for the first time together, with Brusch making her initial appearance on bars.
On vault, Bhatia’s Yurchenko 1.5 earned a 9.850, matching Brusch’s score for a Yurchenko full—both were top scores for that event.
Cooley led nine bars competitors with a 9.925—the highest mark by any gymnast at this meet—while Bhatia and senior Kiley Rorich both posted 9.850s.
Ten athletes performed full beam routines; Cooley again achieved the top score (9.900). Freshman Terra Rutter led off while fellow freshman Sevana Kasparian anchored after warm-ups; both hit their routines successfully.
Reidenbach topped floor standings with a 9.925; Bhatia (9.875) and Cooley (9.850) rounded out Denver’s top three scores there.
Several returning athletes competed on new events not previously seen from them in official lineups—including juniors Amanda Hargraves (beam, floor) and Ashley Gallen (floor), along with sophomore Sophia Hampp competing bars and beam after making exhibition appearances last year.
Among seven newcomers, five presented at least one competition-ready routine: Bhatia (all-around), Addie Hewitt (bars), Kasparian (vault, bars, beam), Kaitlynd Kastl (bars, beam), and Rutter (vault, beam).
Other athletes displayed partial routines as they prepare for future competitions—freshmen Megan Aamold participated in a partial beam routine during warm-ups while Abby Steeley executed a bars routine without dismounting.
Coach Kutcher-Rinehart acknowledged fan support following Sunday’s meet: “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.”
The Pioneers will resume training later this month following holiday break before opening their season against Stanford at home on January 11 at Magness Arena.
