COLUMN: Aggie/Ute gymnastics meet is must-see for any sports fan.
It’s not every day nationally-ranked gymnastics program comes to Logan — let alone one that was in the top position a week ago.
And even though the University of Utah has dropped to fourth place, it will certainly put out a top-notch performance. As will the Aggies Friday at 7 p.m. in the Spectrum. The meet will also be televised on KJZZ-TV.
The Utes fell three spots in the rankings after defeating Minnesota last Saturday, where Utah recorded its lowest score of the season, beating the lady Gophers 196.400-194.750.
Theresa Kulikowski scored a 10.0 on the uneven bars in her first meet of the season at Minnesota. She previously sat out three meets because of a dislocated rib.
What is even more impressive than Kulikowski’s performance though, is the fact the team was holding its own, even without its star gymnast.
Despite opening the season with a loss against UCLA, which broke the Utes 23-year home winning streak, they still recorded a 197.225-196.750.
And that’s the thing — the Utes may not be winning all of their meets, but they are scoring high enough to be at the top of the charts as they are considered now. The rankings are currently decided on the total season average.
But then there is the Regional Qualifying Score (RQS), which determines the teams that will participate in the regional meet and exactly where they will compete. Teams will be ranked by RQS starting Feb. 24.
“It’s just a systematic way of trying to find the best seven teams of getting into the regional meet,” said Aggie Head Coach Ray Corn.
The way the scoring works is this: The top six scores are considered from each team — the three best away scores and the three best home scores. The highest of the six is dropped, and the remaining five are averaged.
The higher the RQS, the better.
The meet against the Utes will be USU’s second home meet of the season. The Aggies recorded a 195.350 against Boise State Jan. 24.
Freshman phoneme Meagan Nelson continues to lead the team, scoring a 39.500 in the all-around in her first home meet. Senior Nicole Kilpatrick has also been having a stellar season, putting up a career-best 9.950 on the beam against the Broncos.
As far as the series between the Aggies and Utes is concerned, Utah holds a 75-3 advantages, including a 20-2 lead in Logan. Last year, the Utes defeated the Aggies 196.350- 193.600 in the Spectrum.
The bottom line for the Aggies isn’t necessarily to beat the Utes — as nice as that would be. Utah State needs to put up a score that will help its RQS.
“Qualifying in gymnastics is not determined by wins and losses,” Corn said. “It is solely based on what we score. I don’t think there is any other way of [determining who moves onto the regional meet].”
The Aggies are currently ranked seventh in the North Central Region (193.425 season average), and No. 35 in the nation behind Boise State (193.437).
Julie Ann Grosshans is a junior majoring in print journalism. She is The Statesman sports editor. Comments can be sent to juag@cc.usu.edu.