Jan. 17, 2014

Complete Results

CEDAR CITY, Utah - Utah State gymnastics continued its strong start to the season in Cedar City Friday night as the Aggies topped the Southern Utah Thunderbirds, 194.150-193.975.

Overall, Utah State scored a 48.800 on vault, 48.775 on bars, 48.075 on beam and 48.350 on floor for its 194.150. Southern Utah notched a 48.875 on vault, 48.025 on bars, 48.325 on beam and 48.750 on floor, for a total of 193.975.

Utah State has not started the season with a winning streak since 1999. That year, the Aggies opened the year with a 191.025, defeating Southern Utah (189.700) and Sacramento State (187.125). The team continued on a seven-meet winning streak, before eventually falling to Utah in a tri-meet on Feb. 26, 1999. Led by Christy Denson, the current USU record holder in the all-around, bars and floor exercise, that team went on to finish 17-5 on the season.

In all-around action Friday night, it was an all-Aggie show, as Southern Utah did not have any all-around competitors. Freshman Bailey McIntire finished first with a 38.800, followed by junior Sarah Landes with her 38.550.

Utah State did not claim any individual event titles, but several athletes finished in the top three. Freshman Katie Brown and sophomore Miranda Kerr tied for second-place on the vault with their scores of 9.825. Sophomore McKinzey Martinez finished second on bars with a 9.850, while freshman Charly Belliston tied for second-place on beam with her 9.800 performance.

"The meet went so well. The athletes were so in tune with one another and were very unified. They had a great time. Their commitment to one another and to our plan was really evident," said head coach Nadalie Walsh. "I'm proud to be an Aggie. I love this team. They are so passionate and are completely on board with our vision to make Utah State great."

Utah State had a strong start on the night, up first on the uneven bars. Martinez was the top Aggie finisher on the event with a 9.850. Landes and senior Paige Jones both notched a score of 9.775. Sophomore JoAnna Cuba had her first official performance on bars, landing a 9.750 while McIntire secured a 9.625.

On the bars, the Aggies notched an overall score of 48.775. In the meantime, SUU scored a 48.875 on vault, giving the Thunderbirds the slight edge.

The Aggies moved to vault for the second rotation, led by Brown and Kerr with their career-high scores of 9.825. Sophomore Jillian Chappel notched a 9.675, while Landes landed a 9.775. McIntire hit a 9.650 and Jones wrapped up the event with a 9.700.

The team event score of 48.800 was enough to bolster the Aggies to first-place at the midpoint of the meet as the T-Birds landed a 48.025 on their bars rotation.

Utah State then moved to floor for the third rotation of the evening. McIntire had the highest finish for the Aggies with her 9.775 performance. Landes and Kerr secured matching scores of 9.700, while Jones notched a 9.600.

The Aggies kept their lead after the third rotation, with a team floor score of 48.500. After a tough start, SUU finished beam strong, notching an overall score of 48.325.

On beam for the final rotation, the Aggies were led by Belliston's beautiful 9.800. McIntire set a new career-high with a 9.750, while Miller notched a 9.650. The Aggies finished off the meet topping their season-best score in each event after the 48.075 total score on beam.

After two weeks on the road, the Aggies are ready to compete in the comfort of their home arena. USU will host in-state rival BYU on Friday, Jan. 24. Action from the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum will get underway at 7 p.m.

For USU gymnastics ticket information, contact the USU Ticket Office at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, by phone by calling 1-888-USTATE-1 or (435) 797-0305, or online 24 hours a day at www.UtahStateAggies.com.

Fans can follow the USU Gymnastics' Twitter, Facebook and Instagram pages - Twitter:@USUGymanstics, Facebook: Utah State Gymnastics and Instagram: @USUGymanstics. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program at twitter.com/USUAthletics or on Facebook at Utah State University Athletics.