Athletics & Recreation

Nina McGee wins DU’s first-ever NCAA gymnastics title

University of Denver gymnast Nina McGee finished her record-breaking career in the most fitting way possible: winning DU’s first NCAA gymnastics title. The Denver senior scored a 9.950 on floor, the highest score on the event across both of Friday’s semifinals at the NCAA National Championships, earning her the place at the top of event podium.

It is the first time a Denver gymnast has won an NCAA title. McGee held the previous best finish at an NCAA National Championships when she tied for second on floor in 2015.

“I just keep smiling,” McGee said after the meet. “I feel honored. My goal has always been to win floor or the all-around at Nationals. I’m kind of at a loss for words.”

For the second straight year, she won over the crowd with her thrilling floor routine, earning a standing ovation from the audience and her fellow competitors. During the routine, she said, “I kept reminding myself to be smooth on my passes — no more, no less. After I stuck my double layout, I heard the crowd roar. By the time I got to my middle pass, I was like, ‘Kill it!’”

Once she finished the routine and saluted the judges, there was only one thing on her mind. “Honestly, I was like, ‘Where’s (head coach) Melissa?’ I was just really hoping I made her proud.”

McGee’s floor routine was only one of her four routines on the night. She competed in the all-around, posting a 9.8875 on bars, a 9.800 on beam and a 9.850 on vault. Her final all-around tally of 39.4875 is also a new DU record at an NCAA National Championships. Additionally, her bars score was the second highest in DU history at NCAA semifinals, and she tied the fourth highest vault score by a DU gymnast at NCAA semis.

Overall, she finished tied for No. 10 in the all-around — one spot off the podium — as well as tied for No. 12 on bars.

Friday’s meet was the final competition of McGee’s DU career. In reflecting about finishing her career, she said, “I think it’ll hit me in a couple days. I don’t know what to do with my grips or my leotards. I don’t know what to do with my time until I start my job. There are a lot of unknowns, but I’m excited because it gives me the opportunity to explore.”

Her final thoughts after the meet: “This is for the little girls looking up to me and to my teammates in Denver. This lets them know they can do this and be here.”

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