March 26, 2007

LOGAN, Utah - Utah State gymnastics broke into the top 30 in the nation when it moved from 32nd to 29th in the nation this week, following a strong road performance at Boise State with a team score of 194.775, which moved the Aggies RQS up to a 194.505.

Most importantly, the upward movement in the rankings has moved the Aggies into the sixth spot in the region, and for the time being, securing a spot at the regional championships.

The Aggies rank 22nd on the vault (48.930), tied for 27th on bars (48.705), 43rd on beam (48.195) and are 29th in the floor exercise (48.860).

Individually, Katy Schilla is tied for 58th in the nation on the vault with a regional qualifying score of 9.845. Jessica Parenti-Otte is tied for 62nd on bars with a 9.830 RQS and is tied for 69th on beam with a 9.815 RQS, while Megan Tschida is 78th in the floor exercise with a 9.830 RQS. In the all-around, Jessica Parenti-Otte is 36th with a 39.115 RQS and Meagan Lewis is 57th with a 38.905 RQS.

In the WAC, freshman Schilla is ranked second in the conference in the vault with a regional qualifying score of 9.845, while Parenti-Otte ranks third with a 9.800 RQS. Heather Heinrich is 5th with a 9.785 RQS and Katie Omann is 7th with a 9.780.

The Aggies also have three gymnasts ranked in the top 10 on bars with Parenti-Otte (2nd, 9.830), Lewis (7th, 9.775) and Ashley Barr (10th, 9.760). On balance beam, Parenti-Otte is tied for fourth with a 9.815 RQS. USU also has three gymnasts in the top 10 on floor, Megan Tschida (3rd, 9.830), Nicki Felley (4th, 9.825), Parenti-Otte (9th, 9.795).

Utah State is first in the conference with a regional qualifying score of 194.505 ahead of Southern Utah's 194.240. SUU is followed by San Jose State (193.560) in third and Sacramento State (193.545) in fourth. Boise State (192.535) and Cal State-Fullerton (192.250) round out the six in that order.

Utah State leads the conference on vault (48.930), second on bars (48.750) and first on floor (48.860), while the Aggies rank fifth on beam with a 48.195 RQS.

In the all-around, Parenti-Otte is second with a 39.115 RQS and Lewis is sixth with a 38.905.

The Aggies now look to claim the WAC title at the conference championships in Cedar City, Utah on Saturday, Mar. 31, at 6 p.m.