Ag gymnastics on the rise
Competing against the No. 4 team in the country in a televised meet is bound to create nerves — and it did for Utah State gymnastics Head Coach Ray Corn.
But it didn’t seem to affect his team too much Friday in the Spectrum.
Although the Aggies couldn’t top the University of Utah’s 197.825, they did post a 196.150, the second-highest team score in team history and the best ever home score.
“I had screws in my stomach all day long today and all day yesterday, but I’m very proud of the team because they did come through,” Corn said.
Senior Nicole Kilpatrick said, “This score is one of the best ever so we’re really excited about that.”
The best ever Aggie score was a 197.225 at Texas Women’s in 1997.
Utah State started on the vault and looked like it might be off to a slow start when sophomore Jessica Rands missed her vault, but things went up from there.
The next five Aggies hit their vaults, including Kilpatrick’s 9.875, a season high, and Jessica Parenti’s 9.85 in her first meet on the vault. The 48.925 team score was a new season high and the seventh best all-time.
Moving on to the uneven bars, the Aggies kept up the pace, setting a school record 49.425. Five gymnasts set career records, including sophomore Nalani Chung, who was competing on the bars for the first time and turned in a 9.900.
“The vault team came through very, very well, followed by a sensational bar sequence,” Corn said. “That’s what’s held us back the last couple of meets. We’ve had to count mistakes there on bars.”
Kilpatrick said, “I think that was the best bars I’ve ever seen since I’ve been here. Really, everyone was just solid. The crowd was so into it, and it just helps us out a lot.”
Through the first two events, USU kept up with Utah, trailing by only .475. The Utes posted a 49.300 on the vault and a 49.525 on the bars. Veronique Leclerc, Kim Allan and Theresa Kulikowski all posted 9.95s on the bars for Utah.
In the final two rotations, led by Melissa Vituj’s two 9.975s, the Utes were finally able to pull away from the Aggies. Utah finished with a 49.625 on the beam and a 49.375 on the floor.
Two Aggies set career highs on the beam. Liesel Kohler scored a 9.825, while Parenti had a 9.875. On the floor exercise, Utah State finished out the meet with a 48.725, led by Kilpatrick’s 9.900.
“We had a few wobbles in some places, particularly on floor, but they never gave up,” Corn said. “I knew coming off of beam they were nervous going to floor exercise. They’ve learned how to finish off a meet.”
Vituj won the all-around with a 39.675 while teammate Annabeth Eberle finished third with a 39.450.
For the first time this season, three Aggies competed in the all-around.
Kilpatrick finished second with the fourth best USU score ever, a 39.475. Freshman Megan Nelson turned in a 39.075 and Parenti, in her first all-around, had a 39.275.
“What I’m very pleased with is that we now have the one-two-three punch in the all-around, and they’re all stepping forward,” Corn said. “I’m extremely pleased with Nicole Kilpatrick’s performance, but all together tonight, my hat’s off.”
Parenti said she liked competing in the all-around, but just wants to see the team succeed.
“It’s nice. Whatever’s best for the team, though, really that’s the way I see it,” she said. “If my score helps and it works out that I do all four events, then that happens.”
Having two weeks off since they last competed, the Aggies weren’t at full strength going into meet, having sick and injured gymnasts.
Nelson missed practice Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday due to strep throat and Parenti was suffering from a severe virus, Corn said.
“I think that just got them there at the end in terms of fatigue,” he said. “I’m not making excuses for them, I’m just glad that they went, that they agreed to go.”
The Aggies were also without Ashley Young, who sprained an ankle in practice.
USU will return to action Monday night when it travels to Southern Utah University. After two good performances at home, Corn said he expects a solid meet on the road.
“Every time we’ve walked out on the floor we’ve improved, and when we go to Southern Utah on Monday I will make that same prediction again.”
The meet begins at 7 p.m.
–slbk5@cc.usu.edu