April 10, 2007

LOGAN, Utah -

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UP NEXT - No. 28 Utah State make its 26th regional appearance in Denver, Colo. at the NCAA North Central Regional Championships on Saturday, Apr. 14, at Magness Arena hosted by the University of Denver.

NORTH CENTRAL REGIONAL FIELD - 2) Georgia - 197.420 RQS, (11) Penn State - 196.285 RQS, (14) Denver - 196.080 RQS, (23) BYU - 194.890 RQS, (25) Minnesota - 194.755 RQS and (28) UTAH STATE - 194.695 RQS

WAC CHAMPIONSHIPS - Despite a season-high road score of 195.125, Utah State gymnastics placed third at the WAC Championships on March 31. The top three team scores were a 195.275 by Sacramento State, 195.225 by Southern Utah and Utah State's 195.125.

Following the meet, Parenti-Otte was named WAC Gymnast of the Year, Jill Hicks of Cal State-Fullerton was named WAC Coach of the Year, while Elise Wheeler of Southern Utah was named WAC Freshman of the Year.

The Aggies claimed a number of individual events. Parenti-Otte won vault, bars and claimed the all-around title, while Lewis tied for first on floor. First-place on beam went to Melissa Genovese of Sacramento State with a 9.900.

USU started on balance beam in the first-rotation and was led to a season-high team score of 48.850 by sophomore Nicki Felley's career-high score of 9.825. Jessica Parenti-Otte scored a 9.800, Meagan Lewis scored a 9.775, while Alex Martin scored a season-high 9.700.

Following a second-rotation bye the Aggies competed on floor in the third-rotation. USU was led to a team score of 48.850 by Lewis's 9.850. Megan Tschida scored a 9.825, while Felley and Parenti-Otte scored back-to-back 9.775s. After the third-rotation, the Aggies were in second-place with a team score of 97.700. Sacramento State was leading after the third-rotation following a beam score of 49.325.

The Aggies competed on vault in the fourth-rotation scoring a 48.950 as a team led by Parenti-Otte's season high of 9.900. Heather Heinrich and Katie Omann scored back-to-back career-high 9.850s, while Lewis scored a 9.700.

After a fifth-rotation bye the Aggies went in to the sixth and final rotation with a team score of 146.650, in good position to win. USU scored a 48.525 on bars, to finish with a team score of 195.175 in third-place.

REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY - In the 30 year history of the USU gymnastics program, the Aggies have qualified for regionals now 26 times, with the highest finish coming in 1982 when the Aggies placed second and went on to the National Championships and placed ninth.

The most recent appearance at the regional championships by USU was in 2005 when the Aggies claimed the Western Gymnastics Conference Championships and placed sixth at the regional meet.

2005 REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS - Southern hospitality was not very hospitable for Utah State's 16th ranked gymnastics team as the Aggies finished sixth with a 192.375 at the Central Region Championships in Tuscaloosa, Ala. on Saturday, Apr. 9.

Host Alabama won the event with a 196.675 while Iowa State took second with a 195.625. Both teams will advance to the NCAA Championships in two weeks. Auburn, took third with a 194.800. Kentucky, who had to score three falls on beam, scored a 193.325 to finish fourth while Kent State, who came back from a tough start on floor and vault, took fifth with a 192.500.

Utah State started off on floor and, as expected, the scores were low. The Aggies were only able to garner their second lowest floor score of the season, a 48.100. Junior Liesel Kohler led the Aggies with a solid 9.750 but three other Aggies had their lowest floor scores of the season. USU found itself at least .65 behind the other three teams after the first rotation.

The Aggies found their stride on vault as they scored a 9.700 or better on all five scores to score a 48.650. Freshman Jackie Fogli, the Western Gymnastics Conference Champion on vault, led the way for Utah State with a 9.775. USU was in fifth at the halfway point with Iowa State holding a small advantage over Alabama.

Returning from their first bye of the night, the Aggies headed to bars, their weakest event this season. Once again the bars were too much for USU as it scored a 47.575. Redshirt all-arounder Jessica Parenti had the top bars score for USU with a 9.700. The Aggies finished the night without having to count a fall but they were unable to have the flawless evening they were hoping for. USU scored a 48.050 on beam, again the second lowest of the season, with junior Ashley Barr and sophomore Alex Martin leading the way with a 9.650 each. The Aggies were tentative on both the bars and the beam and were unable to take advantage of some errors being made by other teams.

Team Scores Utah State - 192.375 Alabama - 196.675 Iowa State - 195.625 Auburn - 194.800 Kentucky - 193.325 Kent State - 192.500

IN THE NATION - Utah State currently ranks 28th in the nation with a regional qualifying score of 194.695. The Aggies rank 22nd on the vault (48.950), 30th on bars (48.720), 40th on beam (48.320), and are tied for 26th in the floor exercise (48.920).

Individually, Katy Schilla is tied for 62d in the nation on the vault with a regional qualifying score of 9.845. Jessica Parenti-Otte is tied for 55th on bars with a 9.840 RQS and is tied for 83rd on beam with a 9.815 RQS, while Megan Tschida is tied for 70th in the floor exercise with a 9.840 RQS. In the all-around, Parenti-Otte is tied for 36th with a 39.205 RQS and Meagan Lewis is 54th with a 39.050 RQS.

WESTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE - Freshman Katy Schilla is ranked second in the conference in the vault with a regional qualifying score of 9.845, while Jessica Parenti-Otte ranks third with a 9.815 RQS. Heather Heinrich is fourth with a 9.800 RQS and Katie Omann is sixth with a 9.795.

The Aggies also have three gymnasts ranked in the top 10 on bars with Parenti-Otte (2nd, 9.840), Lewis (4th, 9.800) and Ashley Barr (10th, 9.760). On balance beam, Parenti-Otte is tied for fifth with a 9.815 RQS. USU also has four gymnasts in the top 10 on floor in Megan Tschida (3rd, 9.840), Lewis (4th, 9.825), Nicki Felley (4th, 9.825) and Parenti-Otte (10th, 9.800).

Despite the third place finish at the WAC Championships, Utah State is first in the conference with a regional qualifying score of 194.695 ahead of Southern Utah's 194.460. SUU is followed by Sacramento State (194.145) in third and San Jose State (193.675) in fourth. Cal State-Fullerton (192.640) and Boise State (192.535) round out the six in that order.

Utah State leads the conference on vault (48.950), is second on bars (48.720) and first on floor (48.920), while the Aggies rank fourth on beam with a 48.320 RQS.

In the all-around, Parenti-Otte is second with a 39.205 RQS and Lewis is fifth with a 39.050.

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). Scored a 9.725 on bas and a 9.775 on floor at Boise State (Mar. 23). Scored a 9.300 on bars and a 9.625 on floor at the WAC Championships (Mar. 31).

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). Won her first all-around title with a career high 39.000 at Boise State (Mar. 23). Scored a career-high 39.050 in the all-around at the WAC Championships (Mar. 31), with a career-high 9.825 on beam.

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). Scored over 9.650 on vault, beam and floor at Boise State (Mar. 23). Scored a career-high 38.750 in the all-around at the WAC Championships (Mar. 31), with a high mark of 9.850 on vault.

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). Placed second in the all-around with a score of 38.900 at Boise State (Mar. 23). Placed fourth with a 39.150 in the all-around at the WAC Championships (Mar. 31), with a high mark of 9.850 on floor.

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). Scored a 9.650 on vault at Boise State (Mar. 23).

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). Had a individual meet high of 9.775 on vault at Boise State (Mar. 23).

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). Scored a 9.750 on bars and a 9.625 on beam at Boise State (Mar. 23). Had a high mark of 9.700 on beam at the WAC Championships (Mar. 31).

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). Scored a 9.675 or better on vault, beam and floor with a 9.800 on vault at Boise State (Mar. 23). Scored a career-high 9.850 on vault, while scoring a 9.650 on beam at the WAC Championships (Mar. 31).

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). Scored an individual meet high of 9.825 on bars at Boise State (Mar. 23). Scored a season-high 39.350 in the all-around with a season-high 9.900 on vault to claim the vault, bars and all-around titles at the WAC Championships (Mar. 31). Was named WAC Gymnast of the Year.

Ana Rickard - Competed in her first event of the season scoring a 9.675 on floor at Boise State (Mar. 23).

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 regional 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). Scored a 9.825 on floor at the WAC Championships (Mar. 31).

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 Meagan Lewis (9.800) at 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 Nicki Felley (39.000) at BSU Meagan Lewis (9.875) at BYU Nicki Felley (9.900) at SJSU

WAC CHAMPIONS

VAULT BARS FLOOR Jessica Parenti-Otte (9.900) Jessica Parenti-Otte (9.875) Meagan Lewis (9.850)

ALL-AROUND Jessica Parenti-Otte (39.350) - WAC Gymnast of the Year

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 Nicki Felley - Week of Mar. 26