TUCSON, Ariz. – Arizona gymnastics opened their 2018 season at home on Jan. 6 against No. 8 Denver. The Cats posted a score of 195.425, but Denver just barely defeated them with a final score of 195.775.

Despite the loss, this is one of Arizona's highest final scores for an opening meet in several years, blowing last year's opening meet score of 194.025 out of the water. They also beat their scores from 2015 (194.375 against Alabama), 2014 (194.750 against Illinois-Chicago), 2013 (195.150 at the Cancun Classic), and 2011 (193.825 in the Pac-10 Preview). 
 
Tonight Arizona also welcomed 3,446 fans to McKale for their season opener, their third highest attendance in program history.
 
Thoughts from Head Coach, John Court:
"I though this was a great opening night," said head coach John Court. "To come out and do what we did was fantastic. With it being the first meet of the year, we were able to accomplish a lot of our small goals. It was a complete team effort. We are leaving the arena very happy."
 
Great Start to the Competition:
The Cats started the competition strong on vault, earning a team score of 48.825. Senior Madison Cindric earned the highest vault score for Arizona with a 9.800, while junior Lauryn Mattson and sophomore Jenny Leung both posted 9.775's.
 
The Cats Posted 49.000 or Higher on both Bars and Floor:
Arizona came out of the gate strong on both the uneven bars and the floor competition. Senior Kennady Schneider competed first on bars, earning a respectable score of 9.775. Schneider was followed by Danielle Spencer who scored a 9.850, and Christina Berg who earned a 9.875 (tying her career high).
 
As the Cats came to their final rotation on floor, they were ready to go. Maddi Leydin opened the event for Arizona, posting a score of 9.825, a new season and career high. Madison Cindric who tied her career high of 9.850, and Kennady Schneider who earned a 9.875 followed Leydin.
 
Payton Bellows Experiences McKale:
Payton Bellows, a freshman from Southwick, Massachusetts, was the only one of four freshmen to see competition time in tonight's meet. She anchored for the Cats on vault, scoring a new season and career high of 9.725, as well as making her floor debut, earing a season and career high of 9.625.
 
Madison Cindric Competes in the All-Around Competition:
Senior and captain of the GymCats Madison Cindric, was the only gymnast from Arizona to compete in the All-Around competition. She came in third out of four, earning an All-Around score of 39.250. She scored a 9.800 on vault, 9.750 on bars, 9.850 on beam, and another 9.850 on floor.
 
New Career Highs:
Payton Bellows: V – 9.725; FX – 9.625
Christina Berg: UB – 9.875 (Tied)
Maddi Leydin: V - 9.750; BB - 9.700; FX – 9.825 
Madison Cindric: FX - 9.850 (Tied)
Jenny Leung: BB - 9.725