USU improves, takes third in gymnastics meet
The Utah State gymnastics team improved its final team score from its previous match against Boise State by almost six points Sunday afternoon as it finished third in a quad-meet hosted by Cal Berkeley, posting a 19.450 finish.
Oklahoma (No. 13) won the meet with a 195.350, while Cal-Berkeley finished second with a 195.175 and Arizona finished fourth with a 193.350.
“To go against three teams of this high of caliber and then to go from 14 falls at Boise State to three falls … it just shows what this team is capable of,” said Utah State coach Ray Corn.
Sophomore Tina Ellis was the only Aggie to finish all-around for the afternoon, posting a 39.125.
Utah State started the meet posting a 47.700 on the floor exercise. Ellis led the Aggies with a career-high 9.750 and sophomore Kristen Bloom followed closely with a 9.725.
Moving to the vault, the Aggies posted a season-high 48.850, with the help of junior Jessenia Abrego and freshman Kyla Mattioli who each turned in a 9.775. Sophomore senior Megan Woolstenhulme led the team in the vault with a 9.825.
Busting out during the third rotation, the Aggies recorded a season high 48.850 on the bars. The Aggies were led by freshman Brittnee Penman who posted a career-high 9.850. Ellis and sophomore Keley Wathen chipped a 9.800 and a 9.775, respectively.
Finishing the day of competition with a bang, USU turned in an impressive 49.150 on the beam, where four Aggies set new career-highs.
Ellis turned in a team-high 9.925 while sophomore Nicole Kilpatrick and Bloom both recorded 9.875s.
The 49.150 is the fourth-best beam score in Utah State’s history.
“I am very proud of this very young team,” Corn said.
The Aggies will open this home season Friday as they take on the Big West rivals Boise State in the Spectrum.