Aggies look to declaw Cougars
Not only will the Olympic torch be coming through Logan before the Utah State University gymnastics meet Wednesday in the Spectrum, an old rivalry will be rekindled.
Aggie Head Coach Ray Corn knows he doesn’t have to say much about BYU to rial up any USU fans.
Last season, the Aggies defeated the Cougars 196.025-195.500 to close out the home season in front of the second-largest Spectrum crowd of the year.
BYU is coming off an impressive win in the Cat Classic at the University of Missouri. The Cougars knocked off No. 15 Missouri, No. 23 Auburn and Pittsburgh.
The Cougars set a meet record of 194.950.
Still searching for a win on the road, the Aggies are happy to return to the Spectrum and host in-state rivals BYU and Utah before leaving the comfort of Logan again.
“We are home for two weeks,” Corn said. “That doesn’t include travel. That doesn’t include airports. That doesn’t include hotel food. I [am] extremely pleased to come home.”
Corn, who said he is tired of being on the road after three consecutive meets including Arizona, San Jose State and Boise State, said the team is also ready to return home.
“I know that they’re tired,” Corn said. “Their schedule is a lot different than mine because of homework, classes and study hall. They still have to be a heavy participant in all of those things [while competing on the road].”
Due to the Olympics during February, the team will experience a different mode of transportation for the Feb. 22 meet at BYU.
The team will not fly anywhere, Corn said. The team will either take a bus, van or host meets in the Spectrum.
The Aggies are currently led by senior Jessenia Abrego, who is competing in the all-around for the first time in her career.
Named the Western Gymnastics Conference Gymnast of the Week Tuesday, Abrego is listed as one of the top 30 gymnasts in the North Central region in the all-around, floor and vault.
Other Aggies listed in the top 30 gymnasts in the region include: Kristen Bloom (No. 23 on beam), Mika Love Houston (No. 21 in the all-around), Nicole Kilpatrick (No. 22 in the all-around and No. 27 on vault), Kyla Mattioli (No. 26 on vault), Katie Rutherford (No. 19 on bars), Kimberly Scharman (No. 26 on bars) and Kirra Seeley (No. 10 on bars and No. 30 on beam).
Rutherford led the Aggies for the second time of the season scoring a 9.800 on bars at Boise State University.
“Sarah Colson and Katie Rutherford have just done an outstanding job in their level of performance,” Corn said.
Corn said Mattioli has also done well in the first few meets.
The meet against BYU will begin at an unusual 6 p.m. because of the Olympic Torch Ceremony. It will also be the only free meet of the year.
“I hope to see everyone [Wednesday] and I hope it’s standing room only,” Corn said.
The highest Utah State attendance last season came against Southern Utah University with 2,221 fans in the Spectrum, followed by a crowd of 1,977 against the Cougars in the final home meet.