Dec. 17, 2007

LOGAN, Utah - Utah State gymnastics will begin the 2008 season ranked 33rd in the country as the Troester Women's Preseason Coaches Poll was released Monday.

The Aggies are ranked in the same position to start this season as they were in last year's final poll.

"Most preseason rankings are pretty much based on the year before. Our ranking is just about right and it is about the same place as we've been ranked the last couple years," USU head coach Ray Corn said, who is entering his 31st season at the helm of Aggie gymnastics. "It will be another upward climb for us."

Four USU opponents are ranked in the preseason top 25 in third-ranked Utah, eighth-ranked Oklahoma, No. 15 Denver and No. 24 Kentucky. Other Aggie opponents are BYU at No. 27, followed by Western Athletic Conference foes Boise State and Southern Utah at No.'s 28 and 29 respectively, Sacramento State at No. 34, San Jose State at No. 35 and Cal State-Fullerton at No. 36.

"What's impressive to see in the poll is that every WAC team is ranked in the top 40," Corn said. "That is a respectable showing for our conference from top to bottom. Starting January 11th at Boise State, it's all about solid performances, rankings and regional qualifying scores."

Defending national champion Georgia was tabbed No. 1, garnering 28 of the 34 first-place votes.

USU will have one more intrasquad meet before the Holiday break, on Thursday, Dec. 20.

After a "Meet The Aggies" exhibition meet on Jan. 8 at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, Utah State opens the year on Jan. 11 at Boise State in a dual. USU returns to Logan for its home-opener on Jan. 18 against Sacramento State, followed by its second meet in as many weeks against Boise State in the Spectrum on Jan. 22.

Utah State finished third at the WAC Championships and sixth at last year's NCAA Regionals, marking the 26th time in the 30 years of USU Gymnastics that the Aggies qualified for postseason competition. The Aggies have seven returning letterwinners as well as eight newcomers on their roster.

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.