Gymnasts travel to 4-team meet
The Utah State gymnastics team will travel to Los Angeles, Calif., Sunday as it attempts to break top-ranked UCLA of its fifth consecutive Bruin Classic title while also taking on No. 15 Cal-Berkeley and UC Santa Barbara.
“We have to deal with[competing against UCLA] as another meet,” said head coach Ray Corn. “I keep telling the team members to not talk about challenging anyone until we can really put a meet together. That is the focus of the trip to UCLA. It’s going to be exciting and have a lot of flavor to it, we just need to stay on the equipment.”
Currently 12-1 on the year, the Bruins recently scored a nation-high 198.250 in its win over No. 13 Oregon State. The Bruins are ranked in the top five in the nation on every event, with the top spot on the bars and floor exercise, the second spot on the vault and fourth spot on the beam. UCLA holds a 7-3 all-time advantage over the Aggies.
“It’s an honor to compete against the No. 1 team in the country and the defending national champions,” Corn said. “I just want to be able to go there and be able to represent Utah State.”
No. 15 California is 10-8 on the year, coming off a recent victory over UC Davis. The Golden Bears are averaging a 194.372 team score on the year, turning in a season high of 196.075 in a loss to Stanford Feb. 18. The Aggies are looking for a rematch coming out of a recent competition with the Golden Bears with a 195.175-194.450 loss. The Aggies hold a tight 4-3 all-time advantage over California.
The Aggies’ Big West competitor UC Santa Barbara posted its season-high 189.500 in a loss to Boise State Feb. 17. The Aggies hold a perfect 12-0 record against UCSB. Meeting last season in the 2000 Big West Championships, USU outscored the Gauchos 194.250-191.550.
USU will return home for its final home meet of the season to host in-state rival Brigham Young University Mar. 9 in the Spectrum.