DENVER, Colo.?The No. 22 University of Kentucky gymnastics squad captured first over two ranked opponents in Denver, Colo., Saturday. The Cats finished atop No. 14 Denver 195.375-195.250 and over No. 16 Utah State?s 194.550. Senior Michelle Gales took second in the all-around with a score of 39.125, behind Denver?s Heather Huffaker, who earned a score of 39.200 on the four apparatuses. Junior Lucy Burgin took fourth in the all-round with a score of 39 even.

Vault proved to be the highlight for the Cats, as the team recorded a 49.000, the highest score on all four apparatuses. Sophomore Krystle Cook led the charge with the team?s highest mark of the evening, a 9.925. That mark tied her career-high and was enough for a first-place finish. Gales tied a season-high with a 9.825, while Burgin added a score of 9.8.

The Cats started the tri-meet on bars, led by Cook?s first-place 9.825 mark. Rachel Riley finished second with a score of 9.8 and sophomore Sarai Sevier added a 9.725. The team recorded a team score of 48.650 and moved on to beam behind Denver 48.950-48.650.

UK tied the eighth-highest team score on beam with a mark of 48.775. Junior Bethany Strauch proved to be the Cats best performer on the apparatus, as she finished second, with a career-high 9.85. Burgin added a 9.8 and Gales came through for the Cats with a 9.775. UK moved on to floor for the third rotation, again in second behind Utah State 97.575-97.425.

The Wildcats recorded five 9.7 marks or higher on floor, to tie the tenth-highest team score in school history of 48.950. Gales led the squad with a score of 9.9, her fifth 9.9 or higher mark of the season. Cook also added a career-high 9.9 to the mix, tying Gales for first-place on floor. Burgin and Riley helped the Cats with 9.725 marks and senior Krista Prestigiacomo added a 9.7.

The Cats next travel to Duluth, Ga., to compete in the SEC Championship March 26.

– UK –