MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The West Virginia gymnastics team used season-high scores on two events to power to a season-best total in a 196.375-195.400 loss to No. 7 Denver on Thursday, Feb. 11, at the WVU Coliseum, in Morgantown.
WVU’s score tops its previous season high of 195.175.
“I was very happy with our performance today against Denver,” Mountaineer coach Jason Butts said. “We did a better job on landings, but we still can land some of our vaults better. We’re still missing handstands on bars. Even though the score doesn’t really reflect it, we still have some improvements that we can make on beam. They are just getting smaller and smaller, which is a good thing for us. As far as the scoring on that event goes, we’re just going to have to keep figuring out what the judges are seeing, so we can address it.
“Obviously, I was thrilled with the performance on floor. Although, I feel like it was still a little bit tight. It’s a subjective sport, so we just have to figure out where we are being hit. At least on bars and vault, it’s pretty obvious where the deductions are coming from, so we have to get that fixed, but overall, I was very happy.”
The Mountaineers (0-4, 0-4) finished second to the Pioneers (4-2, 2-2) on every event. Denver narrowly outscored West Virginia on floor exercise, 49.300-49.200, as five scores of 9.8 or better pushed WVU to a season-best total. WVU also earned a season high on the uneven bars with a 48.75 score. The Mountaineers opened the meet on vault with a 48.725 mark and also scored 48.725 on balance beam in the third rotation.
Sophomore Abbie Pierson ascended the podium in two-of-three events she competed today, including her second-place, 9.9 showing on floor, good for a season high. The New Kensington, Pennsylvania, native also tied for second on vault with a matching season-high score of 9.8.
