March 17, 2008

LOGAN, Utah - Utah State gymnast Jasmine Minion has been named the Western Athletic Conference Gymnastics Specialist of the Week it was announced by the conference office Monday, for the week of March 10-16.

Minion, a freshman from Memphis, Tenn. (Bolton HS) recorded a career-best 9.900 on floor Friday at the Texas Woman's quad meet. The mark tied her for first in the event and is Utah State's first 9.900 on any event this season. Minion's 9.900 is the second-best mark on floor in the WAC this season and ranks as the fourth-highest score on floor in USU history. She becomes the 15th Aggie in school history to notch a 9.900 on floor. Minion also posted a career-best mark on vault with a 9.875, placing her third at BYU last Monday. The 9.875 on vault is the fourth-best mark in USU history as she becomes just the ninth athlete in USU history to post such a score on the apparatus. Minion's 9.875 on vault is the second-highest score in the WAC this season in the event, as she is the only second gymnast in the conference to post that score.

This is the first conference honor for a USU gymnast this season after having three gymnast of the week and two specialist of the week accolades last year.

Utah State has posted its three top scores of the season in the last three meets, after a 194.250 at BYU last Monday and a 193.900 in the Texas Woman's quad meet.

Minion and the Aggies return to action on Friday, March 21, hosting in-state foe Southern Utah at 6:30 p.m., in not only the final home meet of the season but the regular-season finale as well. The dual with SUU is also Utah State's last tune-up for the WAC Championships on March 29.

Friday 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.