Aggie gymnast almost perfect in USU victory
Senior night could not have been better for the Utah State gymnastics team as it beat No. 34 Boise State in the second straight meet 195.45-194.2.
“It was a great meet,” senior co-captain Katie Rutherford about senior night. “I wanted to make it a good one [because] my mom and sister are here watching me for the last time.”
Rutherford and co-captain Rachel Ropelato are the only seniors on this years team. Teammates, Ashley Barr and co-captain Alex Martin presented Rutherford and Ropelato with flowers and a photograph.
“I am so glad [senior night] is halfway through the year,” Jessica Parenti said. She also said that the seniors will be missed.
The team started on the vault, where Rutherford got a season high of 9.725.
Jackie Fogli led the way with a 9.85 followed by fellow freshman Katie Omann with a 9.775. After the first rotation Utah State led the way 48.700-47.475.
On the uneven bars, USU looked determined and pulled off many season highs. New season highs included Barr, Martin. Parenti tied her season best. Martin led the way with a 9.8.
“We’ve got a really comfortable line up going,” Rutherford said. The team has struggled with the bars the most this year. “It’s worked out well each time so I can only ask that it keep going like that.”
Head Coach Ray Corn said that it was the best bars that they’ve had in a while but that there is still room for improvement.
“I think we’re really beginning to hit our stride,” he said. “The biggest thing we need to improve on is landings.”
The team moved on to the balance beam where Parenti, in her first all-around of the season, helped the team with her 9.85. Rutherford got a season high of 9.75 while Fogli look a 9.825.
Corn said it was great to have Parenti back in the all around. After rotation three, USU still led the way 146.300-145.200.
While the team was doing well in the other events, they stepped it up a notch on the floor. Liesel Kohler got her season high of 9.9 and first place in the event. She was followed by Parenti in second place with her season high of 9.875. Parenti got first place in the all-around. Megan Tschida followed in third with 9.825 while Barr tied her season high of 9.775.
“The girls worked so hard for this,” Rutherford said. “I couldn’t ask for anything more. I love those girls.”
The meet ended with Utah State taking the lead 195.45-194.2.
The team will take on Texas Woman’s on Tuesday .
-vramirez@cc.usu.edu
Gymnast Jessica Parenti performs on the balance beam Friday. (Photo by Ryan Talbot)