Gymnasts falter in Arizona
In the Aggies’ opening gymnastics meet this season, the team came from behind to defeat Cal State Fullerton at home. Friday, Arizona State University had built a 1.625 advantage on the bars, something USU could not overcome.
Utah State fell 193.350-191.700 to the No. 9 Sun Devils on their home turf. The loss dropped the Aggies to 1-1 on the season.
Despite outscoring ASU on the beam and the floor recording 48.250 and 48.050, and 48.125 and 48.050, respectively, it was not enough.
“They were too strong of a team,” Head Coach Ray Corn said. “They won the first half of the meet and we won the second half of the meet. We started off a little rough and ended up in a whole that was too deep for us to overcome.”
Even though the team was in a trench, Corn said he feels Arizona State was sweating, worried the Aggies would be able to make a come back.
Sophomore Mika Love Houston led the Aggies in the all-around competition and finished second overall, coming away with a career-high 38.625. Houston posted a 9.700 on both the vault and beam, and a 9.625 on the floor and a 9.600 on the bars.
Junior Nichole Kilpatrick came in with a fourth place 38.05 in the all-around.
All-American Maggie Germaine of Arizona won the all-around with a 38.725.
The Aggies began the meet on the uneven bars, having to count two falls. After a 9.800 event-leading score by Sun Devil Nicole Gause on the vault, Arizona took an early 48.775-46.85 lead after the first rotation.
Freshman Katie Rutherford led the Aggies on the bars with a 9.625.
Putting up a near-perfect meet following the bars, the Aggies rebounded and came away with a 48.475 on the vault. Sophomore Kyla Mattioli led the team with a 9.725 mark followed by Houston (9.700) and Kilpatrick (9.700).
Sophomore Brittnee Penman injured her neck on the vault and was taken to the hospital.
While attempting her vault, one of Penman’s hands slipped. She did a somersault and one of her feet hit the horse. She landed on the side of her head.
It was fortunate she hit her foot on the horse because it kind of broke her fall, Corn said.
Corn said the sophomore out of Murray is doing well after staying in the hospital overnight in Tempe, Ariz.
She did not suffer any damage to tendons that would lead to instability in her neck, although she does have to wear a neck brace for a while, Corn said.
Despite losing one of their teammates, the Aggies stayed focused on the competition. Corn said he believes the team kept their composure and focus on behalf of Penman.
Forced to count a floor on the beam, the Sun Devils posted a 48.050.
The Aggies posted a 48.125 on floor led by Allison Rosenthal and Abrego who each had 9.70’s on the event.
Junior Kristen Bloom took second place overall on the beam and first place for the Aggies recording 9.725.
Utah State’s 48.250 on the beam would not be enough as the Sun Devils came away with a 48.050 on their final rotation, the floor.
The Aggies will have two weeks off before they take to the road again to challenge San Jose State University on Jan. 26 before returning home to host BYU.
Kirra Seeley and Stephanie Gordon are expected to return to action by the San Jose meet.
Seeley has been working on a new bar routine which has taken longer than expected and Gordon has been suffering from a pulled groin since the second week of October.