Bars are difference in USU-BSU match
In a match where the difference was little more than 0.4, the bars rotation was the event that put USU over the top Friday night.
The Aggies tied the school’s fourth-best team score on bars, gaining nearly nine-tenths of a point on Boise State University, 49.225-48.800.
“We showed tremendous progress on bars,” said USU head coach Ray Corn. “A great job from our entire bars team.”
That might be an understatement, considering five gymnasts tied or beat their career record in the event.
“Feeling it today,” said freshman Mika Houston. “Feeling it more than usual.”
Houston, a Las Vegas native, was the first to break her personal record in college with a solid 9.875. In gymnastics, a solid routine to start the rotation is very important. Houston said she should have felt pressure from being the first, but she didn’t.
Neither did the other Aggies, it seemed.
Senior Amanda Jenkins and all-arounder Tina Ellis followed with 9.85 and 9.925, respectively. Another freshman hit her routine and scored an even 9.0. So with six gymnasts competing and the Aggies having to count only one more, the pressure was off for Nicole Kilpatrick, who scored a solid 9.675, tying her career best.
“It’s easier to hit when people hit in front of you,” Kilpatrick said.
USU’s Kelcy Wathen did fall, but her 8.875 didn’t count toward the Aggies’ total score.
Meanwhile, the Broncos had two gymnasts fall and a third barely hold onto her dismount, leading to BSU’s lackluster score.