Annie DiLuzio was one of several freshmen making strong contributions, including a career-high 9.925 vault in Thursday's prelims to qualify for event finals. She took the silver medal in the event Saturday with 9.875.

"I think this meet really made us all determined," DiLuzio said for next season, "and even the freshmen coming in next year were here, and they saw it, so I hope that's motivation for them, too, to get going."

Jacquelyn Johnson of Ohio and Kyndal Robarts of Texas each paid their way to Salt Lake City to watch last weekend. Others have done the same in the past, though none of this season's freshmen did it, said Marsden, who thinks the experience should help them. Championships are a "dead" period by NCAA rule, so the coaches couldn't talk to Robarts and Johnson, even though they signed letters of intent last November.

"Even though they weren't down on the floor," DiLuzio said of her future teammates, "I hope just being in this atmosphere and seeing how tough competition is that they'll come in ready to go."

---

E-mail: lham@desnews.com