FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Junior All-American Katherine Grable and freshman Erin Freier claimed event titles as the University of Arkansas gymnastics team upset No. 11 Denver in Barnhill Arena Friday.
Grable stuck her vault landing for a 9.875 to claim the event title. She also claimed a 9.875 on the floor to take that title as well. Freier recorded a 9.850 on the bars to lead the Razorbacks and take the event title for the meet.
The Razorbacks (1-2-0) outscored the No. 11 Pioneers (3-2-0), 195.475-195.125.
Grable would also take the all-around title with a score of 39.350 followed by fellow All-American Amy Borsellino with a score of 39.200.
"Our performance was definitely out shown by the scoring tonight," co-head coach René Lyst said. "We had some excellent performances on beam tonight. The biggest thing is we gained some confidence especially with our freshmen tonight to help us move forward throughout the season."
In rotation one Arkansas vaulted to an early lead of 48.975-48.875. Grable led the Razorbacks after she stuck her landing for a 9.875 to win the event for the meet. Seniors Kelci Lewis and Borsellino would add a 9.775 and 9.800, respectively. Junior Bailee Zumwalde recorded a 9.775 followed by freshmen Heather Elswick and Freier with a 9.750 and 9.725, respectively.
In the second rotation Arkansas' Freier stuck her dismount to win the event title on the bars and help the team score a 48.925, and hold the lead over Denver, 97.90-97.825. Borsellino and Grable would each add 9.800-plus routines with a 9.825 and 9.800, respectively.
Denver scored a 48.950 on the vault in the second rotation led by Kaitlin Moorhead with a 9.850.
On the beam the Razorbacks recorded a pair of 9.800's from reigning SEC Freshman of the Week Sydnie Dillard and Grable to score 48.875 for the event. Arkansas would maintain the lead after three rotations 146.775-146.625, to set up the final event for the Razorbacks, the floor exercise.
In the final event of the evening, the meet would come down to the two final routines for the Razorbacks. Borsellino recorded a 9.825 followed by a 9.875 in the grand finale from Grable to secure the upset of No. 11 Denver 195.475-195.125. Grable led the meet with her three event titles.
"Tonight's win I thought was important because the scores were so close," co-head coach Lyst said. "Denver came in here tonight after a couple of really strong meets, and we were neck-and-neck with them throughout the whole competition. I thought it was a good test of character for us and certainly a confidence builder that we came out ahead after a strong finish from our floor routines."
The Razorbacks will return to Barnhill Arena next Friday, Feb. 1 to host Florida for the Pink Meet.
For more information regarding Razorback gymnastics or University of Arkansas Athletics, please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com. Fans can also keep up with Arkansas gymnastics through the team's sport-specific RazorbackGYM Facebook and Twitter pages.