Nearly an upset for USU gymnasts
A pair of freshmen led the Utah State women’s gymnastics team to within one rotation of an upset victory over No. 25 NC State, but it was not to be.
Ahead by 0.600 going into the final event, the Aggies had to count two falls on the beam for a 47.425 and a second-place finish Friday at the Hearts Invitational at North Carolina State.
“Blown beam saves huge upset,” said Aggie Head Coach Ray Corn. “We could have stepped in and made a statement.”
The Wolfpack won the meet with a 195.575 while USU (5-5) finished at 194.350. The College of William and Mary took third with a 193.175 and Rhode Island was fourth at 190.825.
Individually, two Aggie freshmen made a strong showing in the all-around. Meagan Nelson won with a 39.225 while fellow freshman Jessica Parenti finished in second with a 39.075.
Nelson is the first Utah State gymnast to score more than 39.000 in six consecutive meets. She is also ranked No. 27 in the country in the all-around.
If it weren’t for a fall on the beam by Nicole Kilpatrick, the Aggies had the chance for the top three spots.
“Nicole suffered a fall in the beam and it was a shame,” Corn said. “I believe we could have been one-two-three in the all-around.”
Utah State started the meet on the floor, successfully completing six of six routines for a 49.100. NCSU was able to edge the Aggies, though, scoring a 49.225 in the event. William and Mary took third by posting a 48.925, while Rhode Island had a 48.375.
Nelson tied for first in the event with a 9.875. Kilpatrick finished in third with a 9.850.
On the vault, USU also hit six of its six attempts to post a 48.725, it’s second highest score of the year.
NCSU posted a 48.800 to win the event while CWM scored a 47.800 and URI had 47.550.
Kilpatrick scored a 9.875 on the bars for the Aggies to take second while Nelson took third with a 9.825.
Moving onto the uneven bars, the Aggies continued a strong meet, hitting five of their routines to score a 49.100 and win the event over the Wolfpack’s 48.825. Once again CWM was third (48.175) and URI was fourth (47.200).
Parenti tied for first in the event with NC State’s Marlyn Mandy at 9.875. Ashley Barr, whose status going into the meet was unknown due to an injury she suffered to her knee during a fall from the bars at Southern Utah on Feb. 10, scored a 9.850 to take third for the Aggies.
Then came the beam.
Leading off for the Aggies, Barr suffered her first fall of the season, which Corn said might have thrown the team off.
“They see Ms. Steady Eddie all of the sudden make a mistake,” he said.
Kilpatrick and Young suffered the other two falls as the Aggies finished fourth in the event. NCSU finished with a 48.725, CWM had a 48.275 and URI scored a 47.700.
Parenti led the Aggies in the event, finishing second by posting a 9.825.
Despite the loss, Corn said the team will benefit from the meet.
“We will get stronger by this,” he said. “I think they know they let a big one get away. We were headed toward a 196.”
In the latest rankings, based on average score, Utah State is currently No. 26 in the country with a 194.321 average.
The Aggies will be back in action Friday for their third home meet of the year when they face in-state rival BYU (2-5).
Last season BYU defeated USU both times they met. The Cougars won 195.425-191.925 in Logan and 195.775-192.850 in Provo.
“It’s time to settle some scores with BYU,” Corn said.
The meet will begin at 7 p.m. in the Spectrum.
–slbk5@cc.usu.edu