USU Wins Big West
The Utah State gymnastics team rose above its competitors Saturday night as it finished with a final score of 195.675, winning the 2001 Big West Championships.
California State University at Fullerton came in second with a 194.850 mark followed closely by Boise State University with a 194.250. Meet host University of California at Santa Barbara finished the match with a school record 193.575.
USU used a strong bar rotation to break a tie with defending champion Boise State after three rotations.
The Aggie Big West title makes it the fourth gymnastic championship for the schools program. Utah State also won in 1992, 1996 and 1998.
Named Big West coach of the year, USU head coach Ray Corn was honored for the third time by this conference. In 1994 Corn was voted co-coach of the year and in 1998 Corn was sole winner.
Utah State recorded its seventh best bar score in school history with a 49.200.
The Aggies had four all-Big west honors placed their way.
Sophomore Kristen Fargo set new career-highs on the vault with a 9.900 and the beam with a 9.850 to finish second and third respectively.
Placing third in the all-around competition, sophomore Tina Ellis finished with a 38.975. Sophomore Allison Rosenthal tied for second place with a score of 9.875 on the floor exercise. Junior Jessenia Abrego tied her career-high of 9.825 as she came in third on the vault.
The Aggies will have two weeks off before they return to competition in the NCAA Regional Championships in Salt Lake City. The meet, on March 24, will begin at 6 p.m. at the Huntsman Center.