March 14, 2008

Complete Results

DENTON, Texas - After leading through two rotations, 45th-ranked Utah State couldn't maintain its lead down the stretch, finishing third in a gymnastics quad meet with No. 23 Kentucky and No. 50 Centenary, hosted by No. 37 Texas Woman's Friday night at TWU's Kitty Magee Arena.

The Aggies ended with 193.900 points, finishing behind meet-winner Kentucky's 195.200 and runner-up Texas Woman's with 194.200, but ahead of Centenary's 192.025.

Friday was USU's first trip to Denton, Texas since 2006, which was also the last time that the Aggies tangled with either Texas Woman's or Centenary and was the first time Utah State had faced Kentucky since 2005.

The result pushes USU's record to 5-13 on the year. Friday's score was the Aggies' third-highest of the year, all done in the last three meets after two scores topping the 194 mark in the previous two outings.

"We continue to improve over our last three meets," USU head coach Ray Corn said. "We're pushing for a top 36 mark to qualify us for regionals. Next Friday's home and season finale meet is huge for us."

Freshman Jasmine Minion posted USU's best finish of the night, tying for first on floor with a career-best 9.900, USU's first 9.900 this season. Minion also tied for second on vault with a 9.850.

Fellow freshman Nicole Simoneau also tied for second, posting a 9.825 on bars, while sophomore Heather Heinrich was tied for second in the all-around with 38.875, just shy of her career-best of 39.000. Heinrich also was the Aggies' top finisher on beam, placing sixth with a 9.650.

Utah State notched a 48.975 on floor, its second-highest this year, while also tallying a second-highest 48.850 on vault. USU's 48.525 on bars was its third-highest on the year while also logging a 47.550 on beam.

The Aggies return home on Friday, March 21 to host in-state foe Southern Utah at 6:30 p.m.

That is USU's final home meet of the season and will be "Senior Night" as the Aggies will honor their four seniors: Megan Tschida, Katie Omann, Kelly Patterson and Ana Rickard-Whitfield.

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.