March 20, 2007

LOGAN, Utah -

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THIS WEEK - #32 Utah State will travel to Boise, Idaho on Friday, Mar. 23, to take on conference-foe #47 Boise State at 7 p.m. in the final meet of the season before the WAC Championships.

NEXT WEEK - The Aggies will look to claim the conference championship at the WAC Championships in Cedar City, Utah hosted by Southern Utah University on Saturday, Mar. 31, with a start time of 6 p.m. in the Centrum Arena.

LAST TIME OUT - Leading after two rotations, 31st-ranked Utah State appeared to be in prime position to upset 25th-ranked Minnesota in women's gymnastics action here last Saturday night. However, the Aggies stumbled on the beam, Minnesota excelled on the floor, and the meet was over as Minnesota posted a 195.800 to 193.800 victory.

Freshman Heather Heinrich started out strong for USU posting career highs on the vault (9.825) and bars (9.750) in the first two rotations. Nicki Felley claimed the vault with a 9.850 and Jessica Parenti-Otte was second on the bars at 9.800 as USU built up a 97.950 to 97.600 lead.

USU posted its second-best team scores of the season on the first two rotations with a 48.975 on the vault and a 48.875 on the bars.

In the third rotation, Minnesota scored a season high 49.200 on the floor, while USU scored just 47.250 on the beam. That beam score was the lowest score for the Aggies in their last six meets. USU then scored a 48.700 on the floor, while the Gophers posted a 49.000 on the beam to finish the meet.

Meagan Lewis finished second in the all-around for USU with a 39.000. The senior was third on the bars with a 9.775 and fourth on the floor with a 9.850. Heinrich, who competed in the all-around for just the second time this season, scored a 37.800 and was fourth.

SCOUTING BOISE STATE - The Broncos of Boise State started the season off slow, going 1-7 in its first six meets, among the losses is one at Utah State when the Aggies defeated the Broncos 193.725 to 191.650 on Feb. 1.

Following the dismal start, the Broncos beat conference for SUU 193.200 to 192.975. After the win the Broncos went on to place first in a quad meet at Texas Women's with a team score of 193.975.

After the big win at TWU, the Broncos have gone 1-4, most recently they lost to SUU on Mar. 16 by a score of 192.750 to 195.175

AGAINST THE BRONCOS - The Aggies are 50-14-0 all-time when facing the Broncos of Boise State. When Boise plays host to the Aggies, USU is 16-5-0 all-time.

The Aggies have already claimed a win against the Broncos this season by a score of 193.725 to 191.650 when they hosted Boise State on Feb. 1

WATCH THE AGGIES LIVE - All home meets can be viewed live on WAC.TV. There is a $3.95 registration fee to view the meets.

IN THE NATION - Utah State currently ranks 32nd in the nation with a regional qualifying score of 194.005. The Aggies rank 24th on the vault (48.885), 34th on bars (48.565), 44th on beam (48.075) and are 29th in the floor exercise (48.765).

Individually, Katy Schilla is tied for 50th in the nation on the vault with a regional qualifying score of 9.845. Jessica Parenti-Otte is 70th on bars with a 9.820 RQS and is tied for 56th on beam with a 9.815 RQS, while Megan Tschida is tied for 69th in the floor exercise with a 9.825 RQS. In the all-around, Jessica Parenti-Otte is tied for 30th with a 39.115 RQS and Meagan Lewis is tied for 70th with a 38.700 RQS.

WESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE - Freshman Katy Schilla is ranked first in the conference in the vault with a regional qualifying score of 9.845, while Jessica Parenti-Otte ranks third with a 9.800 RQS. Heather Heinrich is 6th with a 9.770 RQS and Meagan Lewis is 10th with a 9.735.

The Aggies also have three gymnasts ranked in the top 10 on bars with Parenti-Otte (2nd, 9.820), Lewis (5th, 9.765) and Ashley Barr (6th, 9.751). On balance beam, Parenti-Otte is ranked third with a 9.815 RQS. USU also has four gymnasts in the top 10 on floor, Megan Tschida (3rd, 9.825), Nicki Felley (4th, 9.815), Parenti-Otte (7th, 9.795) and Devin Markle (10th, 9.775).

Utah State is first in the conference with a regional qualifying score of 194.005 ahead of Southern Utah's 193.775. SUU is followed by San Jose State (193.295) in third and Sacramento State (192.945) in fourth. Boise State (192.335) and Cal State-Fullerton (192.005) round out the six in that order.

Utah State leads the conference on vault (48.885), third on bars (48.565) and first on floor (48.765), while the Aggies rank sixth on beam with a 48.075 RQS.

In the all-around, Parenti-Otte is first with a 39.115 RQS and Lewis is seventh with a 38.700.

SCORES AROUND THE WAC -

Boise State 192.750 - Southern Utah 195.175

Sacramento State 194.900 - San Jose State 195.300

SCORES AROUND UTAH -

Utah 196.675 - Oregon State 196.600 - Washington 193.625 - Seattle Pacific 189.750

BYU 193.800 - Denver 196.100 - California 193.875

2007 TEAM CAPTAINS - Junior Kelly Patterson, senior Alex Martin and fifth-year seniors Barr, Lewis, Mandy and Parenti-Otte are serving as team captains. This is Mandy and Patterson's second season in the position, and Martin's third.

2007 SEASON OUTLOOK - Utah State will look to improve from its fourth-place finish in the Western Athletic Conference in 2006 behind Meagan Lewis and Jessica Parenti-Otte, who each advanced to regional competition a year ago. With 12 members of last year's team returning to compete, the Aggies have an improved outlook for the 2007 season.

The Aggies have added three freshmen to the roster after losing four gymnasts from last year's roster, including standout Leisel Kohler.

This year the Aggies return five seniors. Ashley Barr returns to competition as a fifth-year senior after redshirting last season due to injury. Meagan Lewis, Rachael Mandy and Jessica Parenti-Otte also return as fifth-year seniors.

The Aggies look forward to stiff competition throughout the season, continuing competition against a strong conference lineup. The toughest meet will come against Utah, which finished the 2006 season ranked second in the nation. Other strong competitors will be Minnesota, which finished ranked 19th in the country, and BYU which finished 2006 ranked 30th. Utah State will also meet a distant opponent from University of Alaska-Anchorage, which was ranked 54th at the end of the 2006 season.

All of the Aggies WAC competitors finished last season ranked in the top 50 in the nation. The top team was 29th-ranked San Jose State, which was two spots in front of conference champion Sacramento State, which finished 31st. Boise State followed ranked 34th while Southern Utah was 37th. Utah State ranked 42nd at the end of 2006 with Cal-State Fullerton ranking in the 48th spot.

HEAD COACH RAY CORN - Ray Corn has created and maintained a tradition of success in his 29 years at Utah State, both in the gym and in the classroom.

As the only coach in USU's Division I gymnastics history, he has led the Aggies to the postseason 25 times in his 29 years in Logan, including five trips to the national championships. Corn owns an overall record of 425-415-2, with a regular-season record of 372-260-2.

In 1978, Corn took a club-level Utah State gymnastics team and transformed it into an AIAW power, finishing 30-4 in his first season. The next year, the Aggies made the first of four consecutive trips to the AIAW National Championships, finishing as high as ninth in 1982.

In 1991, USU returned to the national championship meet, now under the supervision of the NCAA. In 20 of the past 23 years, USU has qualified for the NCAA regional competition.

Corn has coached three All-Americans, three Olympians, two World Championship competitors and had nine gymnasts qualify for the NCAA National Championships.

Since 1991, 32 gymnasts have earned academic All-America honors 50 times.

A GLANCE AT THE AGGIES -

Ashley Barr - After redshirting the 2006 season, the senior has started off well. She has a season high on bars (9.825), which she posted at home against Utah (Feb. 9) She also had a strong outing on bars at Sacramento State (Jan. 7) where she posted a 9.700. She competed in the floor exercise at San Jose State (Jan. 26) where she placed 13th with a score of 9.600. Tied her season high on bars (9.775) against Boise State (Feb. 1), while posting a 9.625 in the floor exercise. Posted a 9.550 on bars and a 9.475 on floor against SUU (Feb. 16). Tied her season on bars with a 9.825 at home against SUU (Feb. 23) while posting a season high on floor with a 9.750. Scored a 9.600 on bars and beam at home against UAA (Mar. 2).Posted a 9.700 on bars at BYU (Mar. 9), while she struggled on the beam with a score of 8.250. Had a high mark of 9.775 on bars at home against Minnesota (Mar. 17).

Nicki Felley - Posted her career high in the floor exercise at San Jose State (Jan. 26) where she placed first with a 9.900. Also posted a career high on balance beam at Washington (Jan. 12) with a 9.700. Posted a 9.700 at home against Utah (Feb. 9). Posted her season high on beam with a 9.725 at SUU (Feb. 16). Competed in three events against Boise State (Feb. 1) posting her high score of the night in the floor exercise with a 9.800. Competed on bars for the first time in her career at home against Utah (Feb. 9) and scored a 9.700. Competed in the all-around for the first time in her collegiate career and lead the Aggies in a third-place finish with a 38.775 at Southern Utah (Feb. 16). Posted her career high on vault (9.875) and bars (9.775) at home against SUU (Feb. 23). Competed in two events at home against UAA (Mar. 2) with a 9.600 on vault and a 9.825 on floor. Scored a high of 9.825 on floor, a 9.750 on bars and a 9.525 on vault at BYU (Mar. 9). Picked up her second vault victory with a 9.850 at home against Minnesota (Mar. 17).

Heather Heinrich - A freshman from Little, Colo., posted a season high on vault at San Jose State (Jan. 26) finishing in second-place with a 9.825, while posting a 9.725 on bars. At Washington (Jan. 12), she posted a 9.700 on beam. Had high marks on vault (9.700) and bars (9.725) at home against Utah (Feb. 9). Posted a 9.725 at SUU (Feb. 16). Scored her season high on beam (9.850) at home against SUU (Feb. 23). Competed in the all-around for the first time in her collegiate career scoring a 38.000 at home against UAA (Mar. 2) with a high score of 9.750 on vault. Scored a high on vault with a 9.800, also scored a 9.250 on beam and a 9.750 on floor at BYU (Mar. 9). Posted a career high on bars with a 9.750 at home against Minnesota (Mar. 17).

Meagan Lewis - Posted her season high on vault at home against Boise State (Feb. 1) with a 9.750. Scored a 9.825 on floor and a 9.825 on bars at home against Utah (Feb. 9). Posted season highs on beam against BYU (Jan. 22), with a 9.825, and went on to post a 39.125 in the all-around. Won the all-around at home against Boise State (Feb. 1) with a score of 39.025, with high points on bars (9.800) and the floor (9.800). Scored a 37.875 in the all-around at SUU (Feb. 16), while winning the bars competition with a score of 9.800. Scored season highs on bars (9.875), floor (9.900) and the all-around (39.275) at home against SUU (Feb. 23). Placed second in the all-around with a 38.800 at home against UAA (Mar. 2) with a high score of 9.800 on vault. Had a strong performance at BYU (Mar. 9), scoring a high of 9.875 on floor, which tied for first place, to a fourth place finish in the all-around with a 39.050. Placed second in the all-around with a 39.000 at home against Minnesota (Mar. 17)

Rachael Mandy - A fifth-year senior vault specialist, scored her high score of the season at Sacramento State (Jan. 7) with a 9.650. She also posted a 9.475 at Washington (Jan. 12) and a 9.400 at home against BYU (Jan. 22). Tied for sixth on the vault with a season high 9.750 at home against Minnesota (Mar. 17)

Devin Markle - The reshirt freshman competed in the all-around for the first time in her collegiate career at San Jose State (Jan. 26) scoring a 38.575. Scored a 9.725 on bars at home against BYU (Jan. 22). Placed third in her second all-around of her collegiate career at home against Boise Sate (Feb. 1) with a 38.850 with a career high scores on vault (9.800) and floor (9.825). Posted a 9.625 on beam at home against Utah (Feb. 9). Posted a 9.700 on floor at SUU (Feb. 16). Scored her career high on beam (9.700), floor (9.850) and the all-around (38.925) at home against SUU (Feb. 23). Posted a career high on bars with a 9.800 at home against UAA (Mar. 2) to finish with a 38.525 in the all-around. Placed fifth in the all-around at BYU (Mar. 9) with a score of 38.900 with a high of 9.775 on floor. Had a high mark on 9.800 on vault at home against Minnesota (Mar. 17).

Alex Martin - Had her strongest performance at Washington, scoring a 9.700 on bars and a 9.625 on beam. She competed in three events at Sacramento State (Jan. 7) with a high score of 9.550 on bars, while scoring a 9.425 in the floor exercise and a 9.200 on beam. She also competed on the bars and beam at home against BYU (Jan. 22), scoring a 9.125 on bars and a 9.550 on beam. At San Jose State (Jan. 26), she scored a 9.675 on bars and a 9.525 on beam. Scored a 9.575 on bars and a 9.475 on beam at home against Boise State (Feb. 1). Competed in one event at home against UAA (Mar. 2) scoring a 9.650 on bars. Continued single event competition at BYU (Mar. 9) with a score of 9.725 on bars. Competed on bars scoring a 9.775 at home against Minnesota (Mar. 17).

Katie Omann - Posted a high score at home against BYU (Jan. 22) with a 9.650, after scoring a 9.425 at Washington (Jan. 12) and an 8.850 at Sacramento State (Jan. 7), while posting a 9.250 at San Jose State (Jan. 26). Competed on vault for the first time this season at home against Utah (Feb. 9) with a score of 9.775. Posted a season high 9.800 on vault at SUU (Feb. 16). Scored a 9.775 on vault and a 9.225 on beam at home against SUU (Feb. 23). Scored a 9.750 on vault and a 9.600 on beam at home against UAA (Mar. 2). Continued to improve on vault with a 9.825 at BYU (Mar. 9), she also scored a 9.450 on beam at that meet. Scored a career high on beam with a 9.700 at home against Minnesota (Mar. 17).

Jessica Parenti-Otte - Won the all-around for the second time this season at San Jose State (Jan. 26) with a season high score of 39.300, while posting a 9.850 on beam, a season high in the floor exercise (9.850) and finishing in the top-five in each event and placing first on bars and beam. Posted season highs on vault (9.825) and bars (9.900) at home against BYU (Jan. 22), while finishing in the top-five in all four of those categories and placing first on bars and second in the all-around. Placed second in the all-around at home against Boise State (Feb. 1) with a score of 39.000, scoring 9.825 on vault, bars and the floor. Has been named WAC Gymnast of the Week twice already this season for the weeks of January 8 and January 29. Had an all-around score of 38.900 at home against Utah (Feb. 9), with a high mark of 9.800 on beam. Scored a 38.600 in the all-around at SUU (Feb. 16) with a high mark on beam (9.800). Tied for second in the all-around with a score of 39.275 at home against SUU (Feb. 23), with a season high on the beam (9.875). Tied a season high on vault with a 9.825 at home against UAA (Mar. 2) to place first in the all-around with a 39.050. Placed second in the all-around at BYU (Mar. 9) with a score of 39.275, scoring a 9.825 on vault, bars and floor, with a 9.800 on beam. Scored a 9.800 on bars and a 9.775 on beam at home against Minnesota (Mar. 17).

Katy Schilla - The freshman from Blaine, Minn., continues to dominate on vault. She placed first on the vault for the second time this season at San Jose State (Jan. 26) tying her career high score of 9.875. She placed second at home against BYU (Jan. 22) posting her career high 9.875, while placing seventh in the floor exercise with a 9.700. Scored a 9.825 on vault and a 9.600 on floor at home against Boise State (Feb. 1). She posted her career high on floor at home against Utah (Feb. 9) with a 9.750, while scoring a 9.850 and competed on beam for the first time in her collegiate career and scored a 9.175. Won the vault for the third time this season at SUU (Feb. 16) with a score of 9.825. Is still out and recovering from an ankle injury, she has hopes to return for the conference championships.

Megan Tschida - Won two consecutive floor exercise titles, with a 9.850 at home against BYU (Jan. 22). She also tied for first at Washington (Jan. 12) with a 9.800 and finished third in the floor exercise at Sacramento State (Jan. 7) with a 9.775. After sitting out two meets, she tied her second highest floor score of the season with a 9.800 at home against Utah (Feb. 9). Tied for first on floor with a season high 9.900 at home against SUU (Feb. 23). Placed first on floor for the third time this season at home against UAA (Mar. 2) with a 9.875. Continued solid floor competition with a 9.825 at BYU (Mar. 9). Scored a 9.875 on floor at home against Minnesota (Mar. 17).

INDIVIDUAL EVENT CHAMPIONS

VAULT BARS BEAM Katy Schilla (9.850) at Sac. St. Jessica Parenti-Otte (9.900) BYU Jessica Parenti-Otte (9.850) at SJSU (9.875) at SJSU (9.825) at SJSU (9.800) UAA (9.825) at SUU (9.825) BSU (9.850) UAA Nicki Felley (9.875) SUU Meagan Lewis (9.800) at SUU (9.850) Minnesota (9.875) SUU Jessica Parenti-Otte (9.825) UAA

FLOOR EXERCISE ALL-AROUND Megan Tschida (9.850) BYU Jessia Parenti-Otte (38.850) at Sac. St. (9.900) SUU (39.300) at SJSU (9.875) UAA Meagan Lewis (39.025) BSU Meagan Lewis (9.900) SUU Meagan Lewis (9.875) at BYU Nicki Felley (9.900) at SJSU

WAC GYMNASTS OF THE WEEK

Jessica Parenti-Otte Week of Jan. 8 Week of Jan. 29 Week of Mar. 12

WAC SPECIALIST OF THE WEEK

Megan Tshida Week of Feb. 26 Meagan Lewis Week of Mar. 12

USU ATHLETES OF THE WEEK

Jessica Parenti-Otte - Week of Jan. 22