Jan. 15, 2002

LOGAN, Utah -

GYMNASTICS - Contact: Lis Erickson - (435) 797-2066

LAST WEEK: Jan. 11 - at Arizona State (#9), L 191.700-193.350

THIS WEEK: Off

NEXT WEEK: Jan. 26 - at San Jose State, 8:30 p.m.

THIS WEEK - Utah State has the week off, and resumes action on Saturday, Jan. 26 at San Jose State. USU, now 1-1 on the year and ranked 21st, lost to No. 9 Arizona State last Friday, 193.350-191.700.

A LOOK AT THE SPARTANS - San Jose State finished second of three teams at its opening meet on Saturday, Jan. 12, and does not compete until it hosts Utah State, UC Davis and Alaska-Anchorage on Jan. 26. The Spartans return four letterwinners from a team that finished 2001 ranked 49th. Utah State holds a 6-1 advantage over the Spartans, with its one loss coming last year in Logan as SJSU edged USU, 193.975-193.750. SJSU is under the direction of first-year head coach Wayne Wright, who returned after spending four years as an assistant coach at Stanford University. Prior to his stint at Stanford, Wright was an assistant under former coach Jackie Walker for 10 seasons.

IN TWO WEEKS - USU travels to Boise State on Feb. 1 for a 7 p.m. meet.

RANKED FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS SEASON - The Aggies were not ranked in the 2002 pre-season national poll, but entered this week's rankings at No. 21. Utah State opponents Utah (No. 4), Ohio State (No. 16), Arizona State (No. 19) and Cal State Fullerton (No. 25) are also ranked this week.

NEW GYMNASTICS CONFERENCE - After the Big West's decision to no longer sponsor gymnastics after the 2001 season, Utah State, Boise State, Cal State Fullerton, Denver University and Southern Utah have joined together to form the Western Gymnastics Conference for the 2002 season. USU will host the inaugural conference meet on March 22, 2002.

A LOOK BACK AT THE ASU MEET - Utah State fell to 1-1 on the 2002 season, losing its first meet of the year to No. 9 Arizona State, 193.350-191.700, in Tempe, Ariz. The Aggies trailed after the first two rotations, 97.25-95.325. A comeback on beam and floor, as USU outscored the Sun Devils 48.250-48.050 and 48.125-48.050, respectively, could not overcome the 1.625-point advantage the Sun Devils posted on bars. Sophomore Mika Love Houston finished second in the all-around with a career-high score of 38.625. Houston posted 9.700s on the vault and beam, a 9.625 on floor and a 9.600 on bars. Junior Kristen Bloom was Utah State's highest single-event finisher, taking second in the beam with a 9.725. Freshman Katie Rutherford led USU on bars, posting a 9.625. She also recorded a 9.550 on beam in her second collegiate meet. Senior Jessenia Abrego and junior Allison Rosenthal tied for third on floor, each scoring 9.700 to lead the Aggies, while sophomore Kyla Mattioli had the best USU vault with a 9.725. Nicole Kilpatrick posted a 38.050 in the all-around.

TENNIS - Contact: Jeff Burton - (435) 797-2066

THIS WEEK: Jan. 16 - Men at Idaho State, 2 p.m. Jan. 18 - MEN VS. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, 10 a.m. Jan. 18 - Women at Utah, 5 p.m. Jan. 19 - WOMEN VS. PORTLAND STATE, 2 p.m.

NEXT WEEK: Jan. 21 - WOMEN VS. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Noon Jan. 26 - Men at Utah, 5 p.m.

The Utah State men's and women's tennis teams begin their seasons this week on the road. Head coach Chris Wright begins his 11th season as the Aggies' coach and is assisted by Jevin West, entering his second season as an assistant coach.

The men open Wednesday, Jan. 16 against Idaho State in Pocatello, Idaho, at 2 p.m. and return to Logan and host the Air Force Academy on Friday, Jan. 18. at 10 a.m. All Utah State home matches are played at the Sports Academy in Logan.

The women open on the road against the University of Utah on Friday, Jan. 18 in Salt Lake City at 5 p.m. The Aggie women return to Logan for two matches on Jan. 19 and 21. USU faces Portland State on Saturday, Jan. 19 at 2 p.m. and the Air Force Academy on Monday, Jan. 21 at noon.

Last season the Aggie men finished with a 5-10 record and return four letterwinners. The men are led by senior Andreas Madersbacher who was named second team all-Big West in singles play last season and starts this season as 20th in the individual regional rankings. Madersbacher and senior Tadd Hinze are the 2002 co-captains.

Last season the Aggie women finished with a 7-10 record and return six letterwinners. Seniors Sarah Lowe and Tracy Bertagna are co-captains. Wright said the women's team is much improved from last season. In addition to the returning letterwinners, the women's team has greater depth because of a transfer and two new freshmen.

Wright believes this is the best team Utah State has had. "We are a little bit better than past seasons, now we have to go out and prove it," he said. "We do not have an easy match on the schedule because our region is very solid. If we can stay healthy we will have a chance to challenge at regionals in April. That is our goal."

TRACK AND FIELD - Contact: Jen Luman/Jeremy Seeley - (435) 797-2066

NEXT WEEK: Jan. 26 - HOST WILSON MOTOR INVITATIONAL, All day

Utah State's men's and women's track teams open the 2002 indoor seasons Jan. 26 at home at the Wilson Motor Invitational. The all-day event will be held at the George Nelson Recreation Center on the Utah State campus.