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Utah State Tabbed Tied For Fourth In WAC Preseason Gymnastics Poll
Dec. 18, 2008
LOGAN, Utah - Utah State gymnastics was picked tied for fourth in the 2009 Western Athletic Conference preseason coaches' poll, as voted on by the league's six head coaches and released Thursday by the conference office. Utah State collected 10 points to tie with Cal State Fullerton for fourth-place. "The WAC is a talented league from top to bottom," USU head coach Jeff Richards said. "Last season's WAC meet was decided by a couple of tenths of points from first through sixth, so the WAC teams are always going to be tough competition. This gives us a great starting point which we can build upon throughout the season as we strive for a conference championship." Boise State, the defending WAC champion, was picked first with 23 points, receiving three first-place votes. Southern Utah, who also received three votes for first, was second with 22 points. San Jose State was third with 16 points, followed by Utah State and Cal State Fullerton with Sacramento State tabbed sixth with nine points. The 2009 WAC Gymnastics Championships are on March 21, at Sacramento, Calif. Utah State returns six letterwinners from last season's squad that posted a 6-18 overall record and a 2-6 WAC ledger. Among the six returners are three all-WAC honorees, including senior Nicki Felley, junior Heather Heinrich and sophomore Nicole Simoneau. While USU did not qualify as a team to the NCAA North Central Regional Gymnastics meet, the Aggies sent six individuals, and four of those six return in Felley, Heinrich, Simoneau along with sophomore Lyndsie Boone. Utah State opens the season on Saturday, Jan. 10 at Kentucky. The Aggies' home-opener is on Friday, Jan. 16, against Central Michigan. All USU home meets begin at 7 p.m. at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum.
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. 2009 Preseason Gymnastics Coaches Poll Rank Teams (1st Place Votes) Points 1. Boise State (3) 23 2. Southern Utah (3) 22 3. San Jose State 16 T4. Cal State Fullerton 10 T4. UTAH STATE 10 6. Sacramento State 9 |
