Despite loss, Ag gymnasts improve RQS
Although performing well as of late, the Utah State women’s gymnastics team was still looking for improvement on the road.
It got it Saturday night at Ohio State.
The No. 15 Buckeyes swept all four event titles to win the meet 196.925-195.10, but USU’s 195.100 was good enough to replace a lower score (194.350) and improve the Aggies’ regional qualifying score (RQS).
“We had a near perfect meet,” said USU Head Coach Ray Corn in a phone interview. “I’m pleased with the team.”
In the meet, the Aggies (9-10) didn’t have to count any falls as part of their team score, but Corn said he felt his squad’s scores were a bit low.
Utah State scored 48.750 on the vault, 48.725 on the bars, 48.600 on the beam and 49.025 on the floor. The Buckeyes’ scores were just a bit higher in each event though, with a 49.150 on the vault, 49.100 on bars, 49.375 on beam and 49.300 on floor.
On the floor, Corn said the Aggies had three or four routines he thought were scored 0.100-0.200 lower than they should have been.
Aggie Meagan Nelson “had a beautiful routine” on the floor, but he said her 9.825 may have been a little low, as well as Nicole Kilpatrick 9.625 on the same event.
“It seemed like the judges were stuck just a little lower,” Corn said.
The Buckeyes though, were able to score 9.900s and 9.950s on the beam and floor, their final two events.
Despite the possible scoring discrepancies, the Aggies went on to sweep the top three spots in the all-around.
Nelson won with a 39.225, Jessica Parenti was second at 39.175 and Kilpatrick third at 38.925.
In regards to Kilpatrick’s score being lower than her 39.173 average, Corn said, “I’d like to say Nicole struggled, but she didn’t. She was great.”
One concern Corn had about his team was its health.
“We are starting to get a little banged up,” he said.
Kilpatrick’s knee is a concern and Nelson was suffering back spasms after she landed short on a handspring during her floor routine, Corn said. In the Aggies’ final home meet, March 14, Allison Rosenthal sat out due to a tender ankle.
But as the end of the season draws near, Corn said the team will keep working hard.
“This is a very, very tough team,” he said.
Utah State only has one meet remaining — the Western Gymnastics Conference Championship.
The Aggies will travel to Cedar City for the league mett on Saturday. The contest is slated to start at 7 p.m.
“All focus now is on the conference meet,” Corn said.
Not only will the Aggies be looking to win league titles, but they will be trying to replace Saturday’s score to improve their RQS.
And with the way they’ve been performing, the Aggies still have the opportunity to improve their score yet again.
“I’ve said we are approaching our best gymnastics and I continue to do that,” Corn said.
Utah State, with an RQS of 195.360 is currently No. 28 nationally and No. 7 in the North Central region.
The Aggies are No. 1 in the Western Gymnastics Conference.
–slbk5@cc.usu.edu