Jan. 26, 2008

LOGAN, Utah - Utah State gymnastics will open a three-meet road swing at Fullerton, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 27, taking on Cal State Fullerton in a Western Athletic Conference dual. Action gets underway at 3 p.m. (MT) at CSF's Titan Gym.

Live stats for Sunday's meet are available through Cal State Fullerton's web site: www.fullertontitans.com. Fans can also click on the "Live Stats" link on Aggies' schedule page on the Utah State web site: www.utahstateaggies.com.

Utah State is 0-3 overall and 0-3 in WAC competition and is currently ranked No. 46 while Cal State Fullerton is 3-2 overall and 1-1 in WAC action and the Titans are currently ranked 43rd in the country.

Despite an 0-3 overall and WAC ledger, USU has improved its team score in each of its three meets. In their most recent action, the Aggies lost to the Broncos of Boise State, 195.700-192.400, on Tuesday.

It was the Aggies' second defeat at the hands of the Broncos in 11 days after a 192.625-187.925 loss in the season-opener on Jan. 11. Utah State also lost to two-time defending WAC champion Sacramento State, 192.575-191.050, on Jan. 18.

USU junior Nicki Felley took top score honors in the all-around with a season-high 38.775.

Freshman Jasmine Minion was named USU's Most Outstanding Gymnast of the meet, as she was second on floor with a season-high 9.850, as well as third on vault with a 9.775. Minion was also eighth on beam with a 9.625, her highest score in the event this year.

Fellow freshman Nicole Simoneau was tied for fourth on bars with a 9.775, the first time in the three meets that she did not win the event. Sophomore Heather Heinrich was third on beam with a season-best 9.800, just shy of her career high of 9.850. Senior Megan Tschida was fourth on floor with a 9.800, just ahead of Felley's season-high 9.775, good for fifth

The Titans bring a 3-2 overall record and 1-1 WAC mark into Sunday's dual after losing their opening action at San Jose State, 191.050-189.825, on Jan. 11. Fullerton got its first win of the season with a 189.525-189.000 victory at Sacramento State on Jan. 13 before finishing second in a quad meet with 191.025. UCLA won the meet with a 196.125 and Fullerton was followed by Brown University in third with a 183.025, and Wisconsin-Eau Claire in fourth with a 176.525.

Freshman Alaina Baker finished first on floor exercise with a 9.900. Baker was also fourth on vault (9.725), tied for fifth on bars (9.70), and ninth on beam (9.65) to finish fourth overall in the individual all-around with a career-best 38.975.

Junior Jessica Tait finished second on beam with a personal-best 9.825 while sophomore Kori Underhill was fifth on floor with a 9.800.

Cal State Fullerton returns eight letterwinners and added eight newcomers. Last season, under 2007 WAC Coach of the Year Jill Hicks, the Titans posted an 8-7 overall record and were 4-1 in WAC action. CSF finished fifth at the WAC Championships and the Titans were tabbed in that same position in this year's preseason poll.

Utah State is 16-11 all-time against Cal State Fullerton, including 2-4 at Fullerton.

The Aggies' last trip to Fullerton was the 2006 season-opener, with the Titans narrowly edging the Aggies, 187.975-187.925, for third-place in a quad meet behind North Carolina State (188.575) and San Jose State (188.450).

Utah State continues its road swing by heading to Cedar City, Utah to tangle with Southern Utah on Monday, Feb. 4, for a conference dual. USU then is in a quad meet with Oklahoma and Air Force, hosted by Denver, on Saturday, Feb. 9.

The Aggies return to the friendly confines of the Spectrum on Friday, Feb. 15, taking on in-state foe BYU along with New Hampshire in a triangular.

All USU home meets begin at 6:30 p.m.

Gymnastics tickets are available through the USU Ticket Office at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, online at www.UtahStateAggies.com and clicking on "tickets" in left column, or by calling 1-888-U-STATE-1 or (435) 797-0305.

-USU-